Electronic Health Record Implants - Research Paper Example

?Electronic Health Record Implants Introduction The use of technology and information systems in health s has greatly revolutionized healthcare infrastructure. The time has come for us to embrace one of the most advanced medical technologies that will enable health information to be stored and retrieved using an implanted microchip. However, the use of technology has raised a lot of ethical, safety, security, legal and other issues. Ray et al claims, “A growing number of ethical dilemmas beyond privacy and security of information are coming to light” (Ray et al., 2010, p. 2). On the other hand, there is a wide variety of benefits of using such technology. It is claimed that electronic health record implants (EHRi) “provides the opportunity for healthcare organizations to improve quality of care and patient safety” (Gurley, 2004, p. 1). Therefore, implementation of this technology in any health institution needs to be approached with utmost care, precaution, and careful thought. This paper exemplifies the advantages and disadvantages of EHRi and proposes a recommendation based on evidence from background research on this technology. Pros of EHRi Improved Healthcare Quality One of the most important aspects of healthcare infrastructure is information. Efficient retrieval, distribution, updates and use of medical information is vital for efficient healthcare service. The EHRi comes in handy in storing of relevant medical information. The radio frequency implants make it possible for health institutions to access the actual health information during treatment sessions otherwise referred to as encounters. The chip is also updated as the treatment procedures continue. This greatly reduces need for elaborate IT and administrative departments. In addition, a lot of valuable time is saved especially in emergency cases. Information obtained is accurate and elaborate hence reducing chances of misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. As a result, diagnosis, billing, and drug administration becomes very easy and efficient hence improving the overall quality of healthcare (Gurley, 2004). Accurate Evidence The technology enables medical data to be stored accurately, precisely and on time. With the current trend of medical practitioners playing defensive medicine, the technology saves the doctors by providing instant, accurate medical information, which is very helpful in litigation cases. In addition, the information stored is interoperable thus makes it possible for the stored medical information to be accessible by a wide variety of systems such as other medical institutions, management, legal judicial, finance and other related systems (Gurley, 2004). Cost Effectiveness The potentiality of the implant chip to store all historical medical data eliminates the need for repeated diagnosis every time a person goes to a new hospital. The time spent retrieving data from the chip is minute compared to the conventional method. Moreover, it eliminates the cumbersome paperwork in medical infrastructure making it possible to attend to many patients within a short time. Information relating to family history during diagnosis will easily be available hence improved diagnosis. This makes the chips important as a cost effective measure both to the individual and to the healthcare infrastructure. Insurance Claims EHRi technology provides an easy way of storage and accessibility of medical information to all the relevant stakeholders. This makes the technology a double-edged sword for both insurance firms and the patients. The insurance firms will be cautioned against false medical claims. On the other hand, patients will be safeguarded against inaccurate billing. Cons Privacy Concerns Privacy of this system remains the most sensitive issue of concern. The implant chips are used to store and retrieve data from a centralized server where all patients’ data are stored. Undeniably, a lot of professionals, organizations, companies, and management levels get access to either part or whole of this information. This makes personal medical information rather public. Malicious and opportunistic people can do a lot of harm when they access such sensitive information (Gurley, 2004). Medical Identity Theft Certainly, hackers have caused a lot of trouble to the world through hacking of information systems and electronic components. Hackers generate and distribute malicious software, malwares, virus, and worms. Having such a huge volume of sensitive medical information for a whole population is arguably a risky endeavor. Longstaff claims that “Once health information is collected in electronic form, it immediately becomes more vulnerable to unauthorized access and exploitation by “data thieves, blackmailers, and others with less than altruistic motives” (Longstaff, n.d. p.3). An attack on the database or manipulation of the software infrastructure or the chip itself may cause one of the worst disasters in human history. Already there are many cases of medical identity theft and malicious programs such as Confiker worm, which attacks medical equipment using Microsoft operating systems. Chip Compatibility and Interference There has been concerns that the chip implant is responsive to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. When utmost care is not taken the chip, implants may cause serious health implications including chip dislocation (Ray et al, 2010). It may also not be possible to implant the chips to every person since some people might be reactive to the chips Recommendations Having done an investigation on the pros and cons of this new technology it can be seen that there is great need for embracing the technology. Every problem has a possible solution. The disadvantages of EHRi technology can be mitigated and the advantages exemplified. In fact “The leading EHR vendors are participating in developing technologies for the nationwide network that will be incorporated into their product base” (NIH, 26 ) The government and other relevant stakeholders are already in concerted efforts to improve the security and safety of the whole systems hence considerably reducing privacy concerns. Consequently, the system is continually being improved to make it discouraging to hackers. It is therefore highly recommended that the technology be embraced. As outlined, EHRi technology will make improved healthcare quality, accurate evidence, cost effectiveness, and insurance claims a reality. Conclusion Just like any other technology, EHRi technology has its advantages and disadvantages. It is a revolutionary concept that has the potentiality of greatly improving the quality of healthcare through cost effectiveness, time factor, and accurate evidence, efficient insurance claims, among others. Several legal, ethical, privacy, and security issues have been raised. However, the system is being improved and soon the disadvantages will be eliminated. It is thus imperative and wise to consider this technology and put it into practice whilst at the same time taking all precautionary measures to make it a success. References Gurley, L. (2004). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Electronic Medical Record. Retrieved from http://www.aameda.org/MemberServices/Exec/Articles/spg04/Gurley%20article.pdf Longstaff, D. (n.d). Contentious Crop: Harvesting Information from Electronic Health Records. Retrieved from http://www.anu.edu.au/aphcri/Publications/Duncan_Longstaff_Internship_Paper-Harvesting_Information_From_Electronic_Health_Records.pdf National Institute of Health (NIH). (2006). Electronic Health Records Overview. Retrieved from http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications/informatics/ehr.pdf Ray et al. (2010). Beyond Privacy and Security: Ethical Dilemmas Resulting from Emergent Uses of Electronic Health Information. Retrieved from http://www.icesal.org/2010%20PROCEEDINGS/docs/P11.pdf Read More