A LAPTOP containing sensitive information about vulnerable Oldham adults with mental health problems has been stolen. Investigations are taking place to determine exactly what type of information was held on the computer, the number of records and their level of sensitivity. The computer was apparently taken from an Oldham Council manager’s car which was parked…
(CCHIT): An Invitation to Participate in Developing a Certification Program for Personal Health Records
Ted Eytan, M.D., writes: I am posting this invitation from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology in its entirety, because I am Co-Chair of the Personal Health Records Workgroup alongside Lory Wood from the Good Health Network. I’ve been very impressed with the experience and talent that the group has brought to this…
HHS issues Guidance on Communications with Family, Friends, or Others Involved in a Patient's Care
Patient Guide: When Health Care Providers May Communicate About You with Your Family, Friends, or Others Involved in Your Care Provider Guide: Communicating with a Patient’s Family, Friends, or Others Involved in a Patient’s Care
UK: Access to prescribing data blocked for sessional GPs
Sessional GPs are being barred from obtaining personal prescribing data that will be essential for revalidation. IT systems including EMIS, the system most widely used in UK practices, do not recognise sessional GPs’ prescribing numbers, thus blocking access to their personal prescribing data. The problem remains despite the DoH agreeing that sessional GPs should have…
VA: Emergency room clerk pleads guilty to identity theft of patient
Tim McGlone reports: Authorities say they stopped a local identity theft ring involving an emergency room clerk who stole patient data, a civic league official who is accused of using his neighbors’ personal information and two car salesmen accused of orchestrating the scam. […] The scheme involved using personal information from unknowing individuals in order…
Stark Readies I.T. Legislation
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) expects soon to introduce new health information technology legislation in the U.S. House. The bill would build on the proposed PRO(TECH)T Act, H.R. 6357, from the Energy and Commerce Committee and already under House consideration. Stark is chair of the Ways and Means health subcommittee. The new legislation would retain about…