This is what happens if your health data gets breached

If your health data gets breached, do you know what could happen? So many patient records are becoming digitized as more providers and hospitals rely on electronic health records (EHRs) instead of paper medical charts. Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services issued new regulations regarding the notification of patients if their electronic health information gets breached. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) also issued final rules about how consumers ought to be notified when electronic personal health record (PHR) information gets compromised.

We hear so many stories about hospitals, clinics, and health plans having problems with data security. Highly experienced can probably break into most hospitals and health plans and compromise health data.

Under the HITECH provisions within ARRA, the Department of Health and Human Services has to perform research on privacy, security and breach-notification requirements for PHR vendors. Let's see what happens with Google Health and Microsoft Health Vault. If you keep your personal health information online, do you feel confident that it's safe and secure?

Microsoft Health Engagement Survey 2009

According to Healthcare IT News, Kelton Research conducted the Microsoft Health Engagement Survey 2009 and found that consumers want their doctors and their health plans to use technology to help them get healthier. Here's an interesting snippet: "According to the survey, 66 percent of Americans are interested in receiving health-related encouragement or reminder e-mails from their health insurance company and 52 percent would be open to receiving e-mails that provide them with feedback on their health progress. In addition, 62 percent of Americans believe that personal health record services are valuable."

When I think about personal health record (PHR) services that are really popular right now, I think of Microsoft Health Vault and Google Health. Many consumers have a Google account (for Gmail, Picasaweb, etc.) and/or a Microsoft account (for Hotmail, MSN, etc.). Therefore, it makes a lot of sense for these 2 mega giants to offer PHR services. I'm waiting for Yahoo to jump in (but maybe Yahoo is waiting to get acquired by Microsoft).

Project HealthDesign

How do you keep your personal health record (PHR)? Do you use an online system like Google Health or Microsoft HealthVault?

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has announced a new call for proposals for Project HealthDesign: Rethinking the Power and Potential of Personal Health Records. This is a $10 million national program to stimulate innovations in personal health information technology. A total of $2.4 million, with grants of up to $480,000 each, will be awarded to up to five grantee teams for 24-month demonstration projects.

NEJM Perspective: Integrated PHR

There's an interesting perspective about the concept of an "integrated PHR" in the NEJM this week. Dr. Paul Tang and Thomas Lee discuss the evolution of the personal health record (PHR) industry. Google Health, Microsoft Health Vault, and WebMD all offer PHR services. The integrated PHR is an extension of the EHR system that is used in a doctor's office. It's a great concept, but problems may occur if you visit different physicians who all use different EHR/EMR solutions. Plus, if you travel accross the country, you may run into similar issues. Personally, I'm a huge fan of integrated PHRs that potentially offer patients more services like online scheduling and secure online communication with the healthcare team.

So what does the future of PHRs look like? The stand-alone PHR has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The integrated PHR has different pros/cons. Which will dominate in the healthcare sector? Will both get integrated somehow?

RelayHealth

If you've been keeping up with the Personal Health Record (PHR) industry, then you'll be very familiar with RelayHealth. RelayHealth provides a secure way for patients and doctors to communicate online. It's been linked with Microsoft HealthVault and offers a way for patients to get access to their personal health records as well. Google Health is another PHR provider that has been gaining a lot of traction recently.

Employment Opportunities

This may not be the best time to be transitioning from a clinical to a non-clinical career. Even under this new administration, unemployment rates are climbing very rapidly. Within pharma, we see layoff announcements left and right. Pharma is also struggling because the FDA is being so overly cautious to approve new drugs. So, if you currently have a stable clinical job, you may want to wait for the economy improves to look for new opportunities.

Perhaps the only exception is within the health IT industry. I seem to see more job posts in that sector than any other right now. There is a growing need for better electronic health records (EHRs), computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems, and the integration with personal health records (PHRs) like Google Health and Microsoft Health Vault. I've been speaking with recent college grads who have told me that they are not having problems finding jobs in the health information technology/information space. Hospitals are recognizing the need for more efficient systems and as hardware and software capabilities improve, it's important to do periodic updates to stay current and to ensure the maximum levels of data integrity and security.

HIPAA

We've all heard the term HIPAA. How often do we stop to think what it means?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Your health data is probably secure. However, is it portable? What are you doing to make it portable so that it's available wherever you are? If you haven't signed up for a personal health record (PHR) service, you may want to look into that. Google Health or Microsoft HealthVault?

Google Health and Microsoft Health Vault

Today, I was speaking with someone about the importance of carrying around an old EKG (or ECG if you prefer) whenever traveling. If you end up in an ER with chest pain or syncope, it will be very beneficial to have an old EKG with you (unless your problem is swallow syncope).

Digital copies may suffice, but I would suggest paper redundancy in the case of an EKG. Most modern hospitals have Internet-connected computers, but I don't know that they'd let you log in to your Google Health or Microsoft Health Vault to access your old EKG. Maybe they would (they should if they don't).

So do you have a copy of your old EKG? Is it on Google Health or Microsoft Health Vault? Hopefully you also have a copy in your wallet. Make sure to keep an updated PHR (personal health record).