Networking: Digital doctors' records

UPI ^ | Oct. 31, 2005 | UPI

[2Jim_Brown]

CHICAGO, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Old-fashioned medical claims processing -- doctors handwriting codes for procedures on hardcopy files -- is gradually being replaced by digital physicians networks, electronic archives that maintain all patients' medical histories, experts tell United Press International's Networking. By Gene Koprowski

[2Jim_Brown]

Digital physicians networks are replacing old-fashioned medical claims.

[newsworthy]

There is concern that the privacy of patient records can be easily compromised, as hospital personnel other than doctors may be able to access the information and sell it on the black market.

And just imagine the potential for shenanigans involving the records in medical malpractice cases.

[ladyjane]

Remember the woman in India who had medical records for thousands of patients? She threatened to post the records on the internet if she wasn't paid by the contractor. They paid. Fast.