-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Unidentified subject!
I do see the 'stick' version of an EHR as 1) a copy of data owned by the patient's various clinicians/providers/pharmacies (and therefore is not alterable by the patient)plus 2) the original of data owned by the patient (all demographic data, family history data, patient-based clinical data such as blood sugars, vitals, comments on clinic-owned data etc). Its the Patient Health Record. Yes its valuable for use when the patient is unconscious, but I'd see it as more valuable as the patient's record upon which the patient should take responsibility for their health. I can see a diabetic using their PHR to track blood sugars and types of insulin to help take more control over their disease, or a "well" patient to answer questions prior to a checkup (a smart PHR application might prompt the patient to ask for a PSA test or colonoscopy, based on info in the PHR), etc. And then at point of care the stick becomes another node in the federated network as the source for patient-owned data.....Guy Fisher For this e-mail, speaking from the point of view as a patient not attached to a primary care provider: This doesn't need to be a definitive record, but... It helps to have some basic info handy every time I go to a new specialist, or if I need care while traveling. When in a new office, being ill and the sheer intimidation factor of seeing a new doctor makes patients forget much information. If the patient has basic info handy to hand the receptionist when he/she checked in, wouldn't it would simplify the care process and have higher accuracy than asking a stressed out patient to remember all the surgeries they've had and all the meds, etc. they're currently on? Paul Sherman Biomedical Engineer VA CEOSH St. Louis, MO
