Google and Microsoft want to become your virtual closet to store your medical records. See Google Health. Or Microsoft Health Vault. Both companies have created systems where individuals can collect, store and manage health records. Other similar systems include Revolution Health founded by AOL‘s Steve Case.
Think of it is way, you’re on that safari in Bangladesh and the camel throws you to the ground knocking you unconscious. You are taken to the local free clinic. The doctor will need to know if you’re allegric to any medicines. One look at your Google Health file, and presto, there is your penicillin allergy.
The benefits of e medical systems are potentially vast. Lower costs and increased efficiency as well as patient autonomy over their records are often cited as benefits of these systems. But what is the potential cost to individual privacy?
What about HIPPA? Does HIPPA cover E medical records? The answer is no. e Medical Record systems are not “covered entities” subject to the provisions of HIPPA. Currently, HIPPA is limited to health care providers and insurers.
As a result, e Medical companies can create their own rules with no legal and or regulatory scrutiny. All of these systems have comprehensive privacy policies, but for now they are under no legislative mandates.
This will likely change, as Congress could ultimately expand the scope of HIPPA to include e Medical records systems. But that too will raise interesting questions for privacy and medical professionals. How valuable is HIPPA today? Is HIPPA in need of a touch of make-up or a complete make-over? What are the entities that will be covered if the definition of covered entity is expanded to include e Medical record providers?
The electronic medical records privacy debate has begun. The value of HIPPA will play a critical role in this debate. Look for some type of congressional action during the next Congressional session.
