Concepts in Google Health System - Case Study Example

Concepts in the chapter illustrated in the case and the stakeholders in the case One of the concepts in the chapter illustrated in the case is information systems and ethics. The desired launch of Google Health system raises new ethical questions since it is expected to create intense social change which is expected to threaten the existing patients’ rights to their privacy (Perry, 2008). It is also argued that the system could create new kinds of crimes whereby individuals may access patient’s records without patients consent. Another concept in the chapter that has been illustrated in the chapter is information rights and obligations. As highlighted in the case, the patient has a right to privacy on his/her medical records while the medical practitioner has the obligation of keeping the records private and confidential. However, keeping the records on online systems such as Google Health could complicate the obligation of the health practitioner to ensure that the patients’ rights are not intruded. This obligation is transferred to a third party who is the system developer who has to ensure security of the information published on the system. Another concept in the chapter that has been illustrated in the case is accountability and control rights. Keeping records in manual systems such as paper based as currently is makes the health provider institution to control the use of the records and to be accountable to any release of the confidential and private information of the patient to a third party (Perry, 2008). Publishing such information makes the health provider lose the control of it and the obligation is transferred to the system provider who often guards himself from legal proceedings by making non-binding contracts of ensuring the security of information published. The case also illustrates the concept of quality of life that is covered in the chapter. Whereas, Google health is being hindered by the privacy issue, it is argued in the case that keeping health records on online systems could improve the quality of life of the patient. This is because the records could provide immediate access to health history of the patient and faster treatment in case of emergence. The non-obvious relationship awareness issue covered in the chapter is also illustrated in the case. It is argued that publication of information about the patient may be used for unrelated issues such as denial to employment. For, instance it is argued that an employer who finds out that the potential employee has a heart ailment may be unwilling to hire such an individual. The stakeholders in the case are the patient’s, policy makers, health system provider, health providers and the patient’s relatives. Problems with America’s current medical recordkeeping system and how electronic medical records can alleviate them One of the problems with America’s current medical recordkeeping is that it is paper based which makes effective communication and access to be difficult (Hall, 2010). This also makes it difficult to systematically examine and share. Electronic medical records can alleviate this by allowing consumers to enter their basic medical data into an online repository and invite doctors to send relevant information electronically. Such records can have features such as health profile for medications, conditions and allergies, reminder messages for prescription refills or doctors’ visits, directories for nearby doctors and personalized health advice (Perry, 2008). The system can also allow health providers to post information from the current recordkeeping technologies. As a result the system will make the patient’s records to be easily accessible and more complete. It will also streamline the self-avowed mission and the individual’s right to privacy. Management, organizational and technology factors critical for creation and development of electronic medical records One of the management factors which are critical for creation and development of electronic medical records are that implementation of electronic recordkeeping promises to reduce costs associated with maintaining health data (Hall, 2010). In spite this; the implementation costs such as software acquisition are a bit high especially to health practitioners who maintain their own practices. Implementation of the system will enable managers to ensure that data is used for profiling patients or use the data to deny medical procedures. Managers will also have the responsibility to ensure data is not misused for purposes other than what which is intended. Some organizational factors for critical creation and development of electronic medical records are that implementation of electronic recordkeeping is that it promises to make data more organized and easier to retrieve (Perry, 2008). Thus firms ought to ensure that data is not used to profile and to analyze data in what is called non-obvious relationship awareness. Policy makers such as the government, private, and non-profit organizations need to enact new laws which can ensure privacy of patient’s data and protect other health data consumers. Such laws could reassure patients and make them more willing to utilize the system. Technological factors which are critical for creation and development of electronic medical records include the ability of the new system to integrate with other versions of medical record-keeping applications. The system ought to be created in line with universal standards in order to make implementation easier and more efficient (Hall, 2010). Another technological factor which is critical for creation and development of electronic medical records is the ability of the system to prevent security breaches. Since health information may be required at any time of the day, the systems ought to be accessible at any time of the day in order for health practitioners attending to the patient to obtain medical information for emergency patients. In order to prevent privacy invasion issues and to ensure medical data is not abused or misused, organizational, management and technological factors ought to work together. The pros and cons of electronic patient records; and validity of concerns raised on digitizing medical records Electronic patient records have the advantage of standardizing the nation’s medical records through digitization in an easy to use format. This makes medical records to be easily accessible for use even in times of emergency. Electronic patient records also have the advantage of cost reduction for the health providers. Digitization of medical record is an effective way of cost cutting measure in healthcare industry (Perry, 2008). This is in spite of the thought that digitization is costly in the initial stages especially for acquisition of the software (Stahl, 2008). However, once the initial investment is made, the increased efficiency can save between $80 and $240 billion dollars which is more that enough reason to make the switch from the current system of recordkeeping. Another advantage of electronic patient record is its ability to provide the much needed organization and efficiency to the healthcare industry. One of the most proclaimed disadvantages of electronic records is the increased likelihood of [privacy invasions on private and confidential information about the patient. It is argued that providers of such systems such as Google may make patient’s medical information accessible to advertisers in a manner similar to the targeted advertisement seen currently by Gmail users based on the content of the e-mail. This privacy concern is further enhanced by the fact that HIPAA-the health insurance portability and Accountability Act of 1996- provides very limited protection for personal medical records (Perry, 2008). In addition, there are currently no federal privacy protections for patients who set up personal health records online (Stahl, 2008). The privacy issue is even made much alive by the fact that hospitals and practices which currently use electronic storage formats have reported a high incidence of security breaches, with a quarter of healthcare technology professionals reporting at least one security breach in the past year. Should people entrust Google with their electronic medical records? I think people should entrust Google with their electronic medical records. This is because such a move will make it easier for patients to search and get appropriate medical attention wherever they are (Stahl, 2008). It will also reduce the time needed to compile medical history prior to administration of medication in cases of emergence away from the patients’ medical provider. However, policy makers need to impose privacy controls that can safeguard the privacy of patients (Perry, 2008). The assurance from Google that it has iron tight security to protect the patient’s information should be a reason for patients to entrust their information to Google (Stamatellos, 2007). However, Google ought to agree take responsibility of any leaks on private and confidential information to undesired people. Features to include and exclude in an electronic medical recordkeeping system Electronic medical recordkeeping system ought to have tight security features to ensure that privacy of health system users are not breached (Stahl, 2008). Another feature that ought to be included in the system is its ability to gather, store and disseminate data based on universal standards. The system should not have features which allow unrestricted access to patient’s data (Perry, 2008). Such feature when included on the system may be used for purposes not intended such as denial of employment opportunity if the potential employer learns that the potential employee has a chronic ailment. Features which allow unencrypted transmission of data ought to be avoided (Hall, 2010). This ensures that computer hackers cannot easily hack data during transmission process. Reference Hall, J. 2010. Accounting Information Systems, 7th Ed. London: Cengage Learning. Perry, B. 2008. Organisational Management and Information Systems, 5th Ed. New York: Elsevier. Stahl, B. 2008. Information Systems: Critical Perspectives. London: Taylor & Francis. Stamatellos, G. 2007. Computer Ethics: A Global Perspective. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning Read More