How Does One Keep it Private?
Experts estimate that during a typical stay in a hospital, a patient's record could be viewed by as many as 77 different people. Having a patient's record on computer would most likely increase that number dramatically. Some hospitals have developed procedures to protect the confidentiality of their electronic information.
Some of these measures include:
- The use of passwords to limit access to the records.
- Setting up a system that tracks who has been accessing the records and what information they examined or modified. (This is called an audit trail. Patients know who has seen their records, and medical personnel are made aware that their actions may be monitored.)
- Doctors can "tag" a record that they feel is particularly sensitive. If another physician would like to see the record, then they would first contact the primary doctor to view this information.
Note: It does not matter what elaborate security system is implemented. Human errors and unauthorized entrances are always a danger to releasing sensitive material.
What can you do?
Below are some suggestions on to how safeguard some of your personal medical privacy:
You can obtain a copy of your medical record for a small fee from the Medical Information Bureau (617/426-3660), which is the agency used by more than 750 insurance companies to calculate financial risk. If you detect any errors(in consultation with your doctor), you can contact the bureau and demand that the record be corrected immediately.
If you are rejected for insurance, ask why.
When you sign a waiver for the release of your medical records, try to limit the amount of information released.
If you are participating in an informal health screening, find out what uses will be made of the medical information that is collected.
If you are concerned about the lack of strong legislation regarding privacy of medical records, you can always contact your state and federal legislators.
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