YES
from members:
Jennifer Yates
Clarkston, WA
It decreases the
cost of maintaining
records and is safer
in case of fire or
other disaster.
Patrick Grapes
Agoura Hills, CA
If you are anywhere
in the world, your
medical records
can be accessed
at any time.
KENBROMAN
BLINKSTOCK
Florence Almiron
Fenton, MO
This is a very efficient
way to access medical
information in any setting. It will greatly help
to provide appropriate
treatment anywhere.
Should our medical
records be centralized
in electronic databases?
NO
from members:
LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS have been trying to lay the ground-
work for central databases containing patients’ medical information.
Proponents of these efforts say that moving from largely paper-based
records to secure systems of electronic health records will lower costs,
improve patient care and reduce medical errors.
Opponents argue that such systems would not necessarily reduce
medical errors, just eliminate patient consent to the release of their
records. Patients would have virtually no control over who can sneak
a peek at their private and sensitive medical information, they add.
What do you think?
Emory Trees Jr.
Lake Barrington, IL
The fewer people
who look at the information, the better.
Dawn Johnson
Honolulu, HI
The risks of misuse of
the data outweigh the
efficiencies proposed.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
•
www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1693
•
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060822-2.html
•
www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-4157
•
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_medical_records
Thomas Mill
Denver, CO
Loss of privacy is
assured, and society
not far behind, when
all records are accessible to government
and corporations.
14 The Costco Connection MARCH 2008
