Comments on: Electronic Medical Records Hold Clues to Suicide Risk

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 22:46:10 +0000

I work in a hospital. I can tell you that your medical records aren’t secure and never were. We have all kinds of problems and it won’t be better. The bigger the health system the more abuse. It’s better to be here illegally because you can give false information and no one cares. We have people sharing i.d. cards and no one gets denied or questioned. Thanks, Doc, for being truthful.

By: Nancy Baer

Nancy Baer — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 17:13:57 +0000

One of my many careers when I was in the work force, was as a health care analyst and data manager for a Professional Standards Review Organization 35 years ago in Michigan BEFORE our medical records were compromised by medical providers who have been submitting our medical claims with bogus diagnosis codes to justify their receiving more money. Our medical histories are not secure and therefore our records are not either. So forget anything meaningful coming from this study. What we’ll probably see is some cockamamie reason for more surveillance, etc.

By: Warren

Warren — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 21:30:09 +0000

Get wise. people. We are living in a surveillance state. Government and corporations (is there a difference anymore?) want ALL our personal info, every last bit. Learn how the lowly electric meter has become another information gathering tool. Here: http://www.sedonasmartmeterawareness.com/APS-MYTHS-V–FACTS.html Watch Take Back Your Power. And call APS and refuse the “smart” meter.

By: Retired MD

Retired MD — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:17:31 +0000

And you thought your medical records were private, especially the most sensitive information pertaining to mental health. Welcome to the world of the Electronic Medical Record. It seems that data mining is not limited to the NSC.

I can understand the value of data mining in research…a common practice long before the advent of the EMR. Valuable information can be garnered in an anonymous fashion regarding disease progression and associations. But does anyone doubt that well-meaning researchers will soon be gleaning information regarding risky behaviors, sexual preferences, and other highly private information? And for what purpose? To analyse large populations in an anonymous fashion, or to offer possibly unwelcome intervention, as in the VA study referenced here.

I am not reassured by the disclaimer that access to medical records will be only in accordance with privacy safeguards. It will soon be impossible to receive medical care without signing a privacy waiver that few will read or understand. “Qualified researchers” will than have access. Just who are “qualified researchers” today, and who will be qualified in the future? Your life insurance company? Your employer? The Dept. of Motor Vehicles?

Just sayin’…