Medication
The electronic health recording is a modern day technology for patient-centric, point-of-care and real-time information resource for medical practitioners and clinicians. Electronic health recording covers a major domain in the modern technology of health information and has been defined as a longitudinal record of electronics which provides information about the patients seen in the different encounters given by a particular or any other health care setting. The EHR gives information about the patient’s list of problems, medications given, orders, medical history and vital signs.
The system therefore gives a record of the encounters the patient has had on different settings which gives a picture of decision making processes through various related activities, and enable clinical reporting and high quality management of the patient. The health personnel are always confronted with ethical issues pertaining to the system of electronic health records (EHRs). Several conflicting ethical aspects are created from the Electronic health records and beneficence may be represented because they are seen as a means of improving the care quality and to increase access to medical treatment as well as decreasing the cost of care (Dick, Steen, Detmer, 2007, PP 178).
The EHRs have however not demonstrated these positive aspects on productivity and decrease of cost because of the rise of conflicting aspects which relate to ethical principles. The EHRs have created a situation where autonomy is jeopardized especially when the health data of a patient is linked and shares when the patient has not been consulted. There is also the breaching of fidelity when the health data of patients is exposed through theft or by mistake. Health data just like other computerized data has lacked maximum security yet patients provide very sensitive information this therefore means that their treatment by others may be compromised.
Policy makers, health personnel and leaders should carry out an in-depth discussion of the ethical concerns related to the use of EHRs before conflicts with ethical principles arises in the hospital (Health care 2004).One of the medical milestones which have taken place in the United States is the implementation of a computerized chip which is required to be used by the patient at any time he or she visits the hospital. The chip is essential in providing historical record of the patient as well as ensuring there is no invasion of a patient’s privacy. This vital information provides the hospital and the doctor on any helpful information of the client in a much more confidential way than the EHRs.
The ViriChip according to the Food and Drugs Administration is an applied Digital solution which is an implantable computerized and is the size of rice grain only meant for medical use. The chip is placed under the skin of an individual and invisibly and silently the chip records and stores patients specific information through a set code when passed by a scanner. Through the given code, the health personnel are able to unlock a specific database which is secured and has vital information about the medical history and information of clients such as prior treatment and allergies the person might be having.
The electronic database is then updated each time the patient visits the doctor.Despite the great privacy of information associated with the CHIP, certain issues have been raised concerning the possibility of the chip being used to track the movements of people and also on speeding medical information delivery in cases of emergency. The chip can also be disadvantageous especially when privacy issues especially on the code are not considered at the onset.It is important that any new technological device used should consider protecting the privacy of patients and the device should only reveal medical information like allergic reaction, and blood type which are the crucial aspects for health care workers for them to carry out their tasks (Dick, Steen, Detmer, 2007, PP 178).
The medical records situation has been of major concern to the hospital management especially that much information is still kept on paper records. Paper recordings have the advantage being portable and known to the users and when they are not in lumpsome, the users can easily browse through. However, the serious problems which paper recording have are overriding and serious; imitations which leads to insufficiency of services and frequently are a frustration to users. Also these forms of recording make it hard to be used in modern day health care system which is becoming more and more complex.
This therefore means that patient care in modern day has outgrown the use of paper recording. Computer technologies like the use of CHIP enhances privacy of information and at the same time making the treatment process to be simple and effective. These chips should have effective encryption algorithms to prevent hackers from gaining access to a person’s medical records. This is the ways which secure database can be kept and at the same time checking on ethical concerns of ensuring patients privacy is upheld (Health care 2004).
Reference
Health care (2004) FDA approves computer chips for humans. Retrieved from
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6237364/ns/health-health_care/
On March 23, 2011
Dick R, Steen, B and Detmer, D (2007)Editors; The Computer-Based Patient Record:
An Essential Technology for Health Care, Revised Edition
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