E-Medical Records

By Charles Cooper, M.D.,

Web access to patient files may help save lives Seeking medical attention in a place where your records are not available increases the chances for confusion. There have been countless times working in the emergency room when I would have done anything to access a prior EKG, chest X ray, or even a simple medication list for a patient I was evaluating. All that changed recently when a patient handed me a card that authorized me to access her medical records through a free service provided by PERSONALMD.COM.

Other sites, including VITALWORKS [vitalworks.com], offer similar, fee-based programs. Particularly useful for today's globetrotting business class is WORLDCLINIC [worldclinic.com], which is affiliated with Boston's prestigious Lahey Clinic and can translate medical information into 65 languages. And HEALTHCOMPASS [www.health-compass.com] has begun licensing its personal health management program to major hubs such as DrKoop.com, which means e-medical records won't remain a novelty for long.

What about patient privacy? Protection ranges from encrypted passwords to outside surveillance by Web security companies. Whatever service you choose, it's important that you feel comfortable with the level of security provided. But any downside to the new services pales beside their potential to improve patient care and decrease avoidable complications.

Quick clicks: Expect to see plenty of ads on CBS this fall for CBS.MEDSCAPE.COM, a new consumer health site...Meanwhile, DRKOOP.COM has moved into prime position on America Online, after agreeing to pay AOL $89 million over four years.

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