"Smart cards" coming soon to a hospital near you

Katnip, RN · Jun 14, 2006

I haven't seen them, but boy, would they be handy as long as they're kept current.

I can't tell you how many people come in to the ED saying "I take a little white pill, I don't know what it's called or why I take it."

babynurselsa, RN · Jun 14, 2006

Sounds great.

Yes Cyber or the ever famous..."You have my medications on my records..."

olderthandirt · Jun 14, 2006

I carry a paper with me listing all meds that I take, allergies, hospitalizations, and medical history. All my friends know where to find it in my purse. Somehow, I just do not trust the swipe card and the information that almost anyone can have. No matter how efficient the program is, someone can break through it. Confidentiality...hummm

SharonH, RN · Jun 14, 2006

I couldn't access the article because it required registration but who's in charge of keeping up with the card? Did it say how the information is protected in case the card is lost?

gwlillith · Jun 14, 2006

I work with them. We use them to access the building after hours, med room and some utility rooms.

They are a pia if you forget to bring it, and also we have to sign our life away when we receive it.

If you lose it it's $75 off the bat! And it must be turned in upon termination of employment.

Haven't had too many problems yet. Our security office issues them.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 14, 2006

I couldn't access the article because it required registration but who's in charge of keeping up with the card? Did it say how the information is protected in case the card is lost?

Sharon,

It doesn't say who's in charge of the info or the privacy thereof.

Here's a good article re: Smart Cards and Pt Privacy:

http://www.hct.com/pages/faqs.htm

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 14, 2006

I work with them. We use them to access the building after hours, med room and some utility rooms.
They are a pia if you forget to bring it, and also we have to sign our life away when we receive it.
If you lose it it's $75 off the bat! And it must be turned in upon termination of employment.
Haven't had too many problems yet. Our security office issues them.

I need to clarify that these are different than the HID cards we use to get around at work. These hold pt info and medical histories.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 14, 2006

My personal favorite for today:

"Well i take a pill, little blue one, for my BP. But i don't know what it's called, and i don't knkow if it's supposed to raise it or lower it." Pt. was 39 y.o. female.

Perhaps a device like this would have gave us insight on this pill in a hurry.

BabyRN2Be · Jun 14, 2006

Smart cards = maybe a good thing.

Smart pills = possibly a bad thing.

(re: to joke about person eating rabbit droppings when told they were "smart pills". Ate one, and said, this is a rabbit dropping! Person 1: see? You're smarter already!)

Sorry, that bad joke came to mind when I saw "Smart Cards". Interesting concept, but I would be concerned about it becoming lost and some pt. places there "access code" (if there is one) on the outside.

roses4mom · Jun 14, 2006

I think it's a little risky, especially with all the identity theft going on these days. I would think again.

WannaBTraveling · Jun 14, 2006

imho - smart cards will not be a good thing. these will get stolen, lost, mis-used, or even worse. a cancer patient might have a problem if a junkie steals his card, and get a script for his meds. there are way too many things that can go wrong with the smart cards....

hopefully the folks who govern them will go to great lengths to keep the info private and impenetrable.

again, this is just my opinion!!! :smackingf