online health records...are they safe?

[Charley123]

I live in Maine.  When I was reading the news online the other day I came across an article that said the people in Maine have had their health records loaded on to HealthInfoNet.  This is a health tracking site that would keep everyone's personal health information in one place.  Their goal was to save money by eliminating paperwork and also to make it possible for any doctor, anywhere, to access this information, thus to save lives.  
The problem is that no one asked me or anybody else in Maine if we wanted to be part of this system.  They said that everyone in Maine has the right to opt out. Well, how can people opt out of something that they weren't told about in the first place?
Security is a huge concern on the internet and we know that hackers can get into personal information from banks, gov offices, retail stores etc. so why would they think that their site was any different?  What about insurance companies or pharmaceutical companies getting hold of this?  
The other thing that bugs me too, is the inaccuracy in our health information either from doctors or hospitals.  One of the big hospitals in Maine has repeatedly mixed me up with another person who shares my first and last name, but has a different middle initial.  In the last two months of tests I have been on the phone with them several times because they have gotten my insurance information wrong.
Also, my previous doctors and neurologist had tons of misinformation in their reports. I certainly wouldn't want made public.  Think of all the posts that you have made or read that say the same thing.
I would never have even known about it if I hadn't stumbled on that article.  
If this is happening to me then it is happening to lots of other people too.  Check out your state to see what's happening there.  Charley

The article:
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/110104.html

Safety of online records:
http://www.earthlinksecurity.com/articles/health_records/index.html

Opt out form:
http://www.emmc.org/assets/0/484/be7fab04-492e-478b-bc1b-6b9d0e81c57d.pdf

[Lulu54]

I just looked at what I wrote  "Experiency of medical service " .....

I think it was probably supposed to be EXPEDIENCY of medical service .....

There is a whole other thought in my brain, but I believe that anything that anyone really wants to know about me is already accessible - I'm resigned to that.  I just keep hoping that some really evil person doesn't want my info or identity.

wish the world were safer,
Lulu

[Heather3418]

If the alleged North Koreans can hack into government computers, could you really consider your digital medical files safe?  This is going to be a sticky subject for many.  I can probably agree with copies of my MRI's and such things as safe (but I do have a rather boring brain) but I don't think I would want my very personal "women" information  and such stored on a computer somewhere.

You have to think....would be it possible for potential employers to ever get ahold of these records or insurance company's?  The thought scares me.

Heather

[Lulu54]

Charley,
you raise many valid arguments against the use on electronic medical records.  I get the distinct impression that we are destined to them, and eventually it will all be done that way.  

My doctors all input my information during our checkups directly into laptops or pda's.  that is then stored in some other computer, someplace else.  Like you point out, errors can be made and I believe we are going to have to be vigilant at routinely reviewing our records and making sure they remain up to date and accurate.

A strong argument can be made in favor of electronic records by looking at the destruction done in New Orleans from Katrina.  Complete hospitals, clinicis, offices, and other repositories of medical information were wiped out by the wind and water.  Paper records were completely lost.  I use that worst case scenario as my motivation to maintain a copy of all my test results in my own custody.  I don't live in a hurrican prone area, but we have been known to have devastating tornadoes which could do the same.

Experiency of medical service is another reason why electronic records are being justified.  Being a heart patient myself, and have a husband who has had open heart as well as stent procedures, if we are in the ER I want our records available immediately.

This is a very hot topic - I'm not sure there will ever be a perfect solution. MY dh and I have joked that perhaps our records should be microchipped and implanted under our skin just like we tag dogs!

Thanks for bringing this one up!
Lulu