Electronic Medical Records Safety
The debate over the security of electronically storing medical records continues. The question remains as to whether or not the benefits of keeping the public's health records on a national database outweigh the possible risks of privacy loss.-
Theories/Speculation
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Detroit Medical Center speculates on its website, DMC.org, that electronic medical records increase patient safety because they could dramatically reduce human error resulting from inability to read another person's handwriting.
Benefits
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OpenClinical.org credits the use of electronic medical records with future benefit to medical researchers who can use the data to create studies that help patients and make them safer.
Prevention/Solution
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Sibley Memorial Hospital tells visitors to its website, Sibley.org, that patient safety increases with the use of electronic medical records because they automate the workflow of medical professionals, preventing the potential for anything being neglected.
Warnings
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The Wall Street Journal warns on its website, Online.wsj.com, that a danger of using electronic medical records is typing errors. Information keyed in incorrectly by a user could lead to treatment errors.
CSOonline.com warns of security dangers, including computer hackers, misuse of patients' personal information and the potential of government or corporate intrusion.
Potential
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An electronic medical records system has the potential of creating a safer environment for patient treatment.
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