| In the technology age, many people and businesses | | | | facility can hire one or more IT professionals to be |
| utilize products that make it easier to communicate, | | | | on call when there are problems in the system. |
| store information, and have access to everything at | | | | These IT professionals can also work to provide the |
| their fingertips. One significant technological move in | | | | system with the latest in security products. But none |
| the health industry is digitalizing patient medical | | | | of these products would be able to guarantee |
| records. This provides a number of benefits to the | | | | unauthorized access within a national network of |
| clinic or hospital using the system. They can have | | | | patient records. |
| quicker access to each patient's records, store x-rays | | | | The United States and many countries around the |
| and other test results, and reduce paper waste | | | | world are developing standards for privacy and |
| overall. But where does that leave the patient? With | | | | security of electronic medical records. In the United |
| network systems, hackers and other glitches in the | | | | States, the American Society for Testing and |
| system can happen. This can open up a number of | | | | Materials (ASTM) has developed a Continuity of Care |
| patients to having their medical records available to | | | | Record (CCR). This standard was developed to |
| those that are authorized to view them. How will a | | | | ensure medical records are put into a flexible |
| digitalized medical record system protect patient | | | | document so that other medical facilities can utilize |
| information? | | | | the document, but the document is still protected by |
| Areas that use these systems can provide safety | | | | digital security features. The CCR documents are also |
| and security to their patients medical records-as long | | | | just a snapshot of vital information that another |
| as the medical facility does not want to participate in | | | | doctor may need instead of the whole medical |
| an interoperability system. With traditional paper files, | | | | record. |
| a dozen or so people may handle the records in one | | | | Even though technology may make some nervous, it |
| visit to the doctor. Medical records available through a | | | | does also have significant benefits for the patient. |
| system that is interoperable with one or more other | | | | Giving multiple doctors access to their records |
| facilities could be potentially accessed by millions of | | | | provides better patient care, reducing the amount of |
| people, most of those not authorized to be looking | | | | mistakes or a missed diagnosis due to a lack of |
| at medical records. This problem is slowing down any | | | | communication. Digital records also reduce the amount |
| significant move for a nationalized medical record | | | | of mistakes made due to illegible handwriting. Because |
| network. | | | | systems can vary, patients should always ask what |
| There are some medical facilities that have | | | | steps are being taken to protect their sensitive |
| successfully implemented an electronic system for | | | | medical and personal information from those that are |
| medical records that prove to be secure and | | | | not authorized to view it to ensure privacy. |
| effective. As long as the budget is available, the | | | | |