More Data for Healthcare Systems

Curtis Franklin Jr., Executive Editor | 3/12/2012 | 8 comments

Curtis Franklin Jr.
CIO-centric conversations about the health information exchange (HIE) concept tend to orbit the twin concerns of privacy and the sheer tonnage of data expected in a fully functioning HIE universe.

As with most data projects, the usefulness of an HIE undeniably will depend largely on the wealth of information available on each enrolled patient. Unlike most of the people talking about the HIE reality, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the national health IT coordinator, is arguing in favor of collecting more and more information at the point of patient contact, rather than figuring out how to hold back the tide of information.

The purpose behind the HIE is simple and admirable: All the pertinent information about a patient's healthcare should be available to any provider seeing the patient, no matter where the provider is located, when the access is required, or which provider generated the original record. In some visions, patients would also be able to generate information themselves through devices ranging from blood pressure cuffs to blood glucose meters that would pass the data through a gatekeeper service and insert it into the record.

Understandably, many industry CIOs have expressed reservations about the potential flood of data, and healthcare professionals have expressed concern about the reliability of data entering the records.

Dr. Mostashari, though, is looking for demand to drive HIE adoption. An InformationWeek article by Neil Versel describes Mostashari hosting meetings in which he talks about a future in which HIEs are inextricably linked to healthcare reform. When the rise of HIEs is tied to issues like meaningful use and electronic health records, the scope of the change mandated by recent laws and regulations becomes clear.

The truth of the matter is that healthcare IT is beginning a process that will fundamentally alter both the scope of activity and the nature of the job to be done. Retention and retrieval have been the centerpieces of activity for the last century, but interoperability and communications will form the foundation of healthcare in the century to come.

For CIOs in the industry, staying on top of regulations and paying close attention to standards-based data interoperability efforts will be keys to staying on top of the breaking information wave. Have you decided which standards will get your support? Is your position one of leading HIE efforts, or do institutional politics make holding back and waiting for the dust to settle the winning position? There are no simple answers in the midst of a change this significant. Embracing the complexity and selling the results to the healthcare practitioners in the organization are really the only ways to make it through to the other side. What's your plan?

Related posts:
View Comments: Newest First | Oldest First | Threaded View
DBK   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/14/2012 6:12:04 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse

You are correct that as a whole the general public has not fully thought through the implications of what can happen when you post it on social media.  I guess he fear of losing privacy seems to out weight giving it away.  Seems that one is driven by choice and one is being subjected to having something taken away.

David Wagner   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 5:54:51 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse
I'm inclined to mostly agree with you, though I think that convincing Americans to agree to be less private is going to be tough. Now, we've seen that they'll trade privacy for something they perceive to be of value (like access to Farmville), but that value has to be sold to them.

I say only half-jokingly that Facebook has already shown us the path for this-- just take what you want and apologize later. If doctors save enough lives that will make more news than the abuses.

DBK   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 3:30:38 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse

Obviously keeping the patient information safe is paramount.  This is true if it is electronic medical records or paper medical records.  If someone was of the mind set they can take the paper records and ingest them to repurpose so it is difficult to guarantee security electronically or physically.

Operating from in the cloud helps to keep the data secure.  In addition it establishes a process that the data will reside in the data center and not on the devise.  Having a well designed wireless infrastructure will be critical for this to occur.  That infrastructure will need to consist of a Distributed Antenna System, DAS, and wireless access.  The DAS can support a direct connection to the telco provider and support a G4 deployment and then connect the G3 or wifi.  For the security of your data DAS will be a big step to enabling this solution.   Connecting the wireless can help off set cost for wireless minutes and enable nurse mobility and improve patient response and support.  In addition a separate channel can be set up to provide guest wireless access to provide an enhanced customer experience.  It is all about the wireless experience.

Zaius   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 3:23:47 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse
The secutiry problem goes far beyond simply misues. As long as insurance companies have the end users by the short and curlys, it is a matter of retaining one's insured status as long as insurance companies can simnply cancel insurance for leaving out that you had fly at age 14 or that a woman doea not write down that she had a miscarriage in her early twneites (not that uncommon even mow). UNtil the law starts to protect the insured or we get some kind of universal covereage and insurance companies are not just raking in profits nobody wants their information to bwe accessible to anyone they do not designate. Using a Social security linked code makes the records vulnerable to employer snooping too.

These issues must be resolved before any kind of infrastructure for digital records will be welcome by the patients or the doctors. Another issue that begs resolution is the high cost of malpractice iunsurance and the ease with which any person can bring a lawsuit againsta doctor or hospital whther real or spurious. I am all infavor of justly reimburs=ing people for injuries, but the current system has been rewarding the first guys into to the courtroom for far too long now. Some kind of system must be put in place to prevent clogging the courts with spurious lawsuits while allowing for real ones, and something must be done to limit awards realistically. The way it surrently works, the lawyers make money, the doctors have to limit time with patients so that they make enough to pay their insurance, and the end users pay much higher costs than necessary for health care and insurance.

Get these outof the way and nobody will care that much about privacy protection. It will still be needed, but not the the current extant.
CurtisFranklin   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 3:16:30 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse
@David, I'm inclined to mostly agree with you, though I think that convincing Americans to agree to be less private is going to be tough. Now, we've seen that they'll trade privacy for something they perceive to be of value (like access to Farmville), but that value has to be sold to them.

We also have to convince the healthcare providers to buy into this. Right now HIPAA has them so spooked that many will reflexively oppose any sort of greater openness, so we need a fair amount of institutional education if any of this is going to get off the ground.
CurtisFranklin   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 3:13:24 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse
@Gigi, I'll agree with much of what you said, but disagree with one part: I don't think the unique identifier (or password) should be based on the Social Security number. We already hang far more off that poor, over-worked, under-designed numbering system than is safe or healthy, and I don't want to think about the possible consequences of hanging even more data on that structure.

We do need something that's universal, portable, secure and accessible, but I just don't think the SS# is it.
David Wagner   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 1:25:34 PM
Re: Chance for potential misuse
@Gigi- I'd like Americans to be willing to trade a little bit of their medical prviacy for the ease of use of this information to save their lives. I'd hate to see someone die because their medical records didn't get to a trauma unit fast enough.

We're never goignt o get security and privacy perfectly right, but this is a place where I'd rather get it wrong slightly more to get the data transfer right.
Gigi   More Data for Healthcare Systems   3/13/2012 12:14:31 AM
Gigi
Chance for potential misuse
"All the pertinent information about a patient's healthcare should be available to any provider seeing the patient, no matter where the provider is located, when the access is required, or which provider generated the original record"

Curtis, one side it's a good movement because the basic objectivity of portability can meet. But at the same time it increases the potentiality of security risk and privacy concerns. Any open accesses systems can be get misused and end ups in a messy way. In my opinion the best option is protecting the documents by patients with a secured password based on SS number.


The blogs and comments posted on EnterpriseEfficiency.com do not reflect the views of TechWeb, EnterpriseEfficiency.com, or its sponsors. EnterpriseEfficiency.com, TechWeb, and its sponsors do not assume responsibility for any comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
More Blogs from Curtis Franklin Jr.
Curtis Franklin Jr.   5/24/2013   4 comments
There's a "digital divide" among the world's enterprise networks and it looks as if US-based firms are standing on the wrong side.
Curtis Franklin Jr.   5/22/2013   9 comments
It's the dawn of a new age in helpful machines. It's the first step toward Skynet. Smarter, more intelligent computers are here. How will you use them?
Curtis Franklin Jr.   5/21/2013   13 comments
If you're old enough, you will remember when "Service with a smile" was a common company slogan. In the enterprise datacenter, it just might be the new mission statement.
Curtis Franklin Jr.   5/20/2013   1 comment
Two weeks on the road, two major conferences, lots of info -- and three key lessons for CIOs.
Curtis Franklin Jr.   5/15/2013   17 comments
Remember the old highway safety slogan, "Speed Kills"? In today's business environment, it's lack of speed that's fatal.
Latest Archived Broadcast
Data visualization can make complex data easier to grasp. Our expert guest will talk about the hows, whys, and whats of bringing the big picture to your enterprise.
May 28th 2pm EDT Tuesday
On-demand Video with Chat
NBA CIO Michael Gliedman will tell us why the NBA decided to create NBA.com/stats
6/18/2013 -   Please join us for the "IT Convergence Strategies: Why, When and How " to learn more about: • 5 truths about infrastructure convergence today that go beyond the hype • How to exploit the 4 phases of convergence maximum efficiency and agility • Key milestones to plan for on the convergence journey • Why integrated management is a critical component of convergence plans • The importance of an open, modular approach, such as Dell’s active infrastructure, to building a converged data center
E2 IT Migration Zones
IT Migration Zone - UK
Get Modern Apps on the Windows 8 Desktop
Application Audits Simplify Migration
Hardware Refresh Cycles Are Outdated
IT Migration Zone - FR
BrandCache sous Windows Server 2012
Windows Blue attendu en juin
Comment profiter d’une nouvelle expérience User Virtualization
IT Migration Zone - DE
Leap Motion zeigt Gestensteuerung für Windows 8
Microsofts Surface Pro kommt nach Deutschland
Like Us on Facebook
Twitter Feed
Enterprise Efficiency Twitter Feed
Dell IT Insights
Dell Market Response Twitter Feed
E2 Linked-in Group Ad
Site Moderators Wanted
Enterprise Efficiency is looking for engaged readers to moderate the message boards on this site. Engage in high-IQ conversations with IT industry leaders; earn kudos and perks. Interested? E-mail:
moderators@enterpriseefficiency.com
Dell's Efficiency Modeling Tool
The major problem facing the CIO is how to measure the effectiveness of the IT department. Learn how Dell’s Efficiency Modeling Tool gives the CIO two clear, powerful numbers: Efficiency Quotient and Impact Quotient. These numbers can be transforma¬tive not only to the department, but to the entire enterprise.
Read the full report
The State of Enterprise Efficiency in the Virtual Era: Virtualization – Smart Approaches to Maximize Gains
Virtualization is a presence in nearly all enterprise data centers. But not all companies are using it to its best effect. Learn the common characteristics of success, what barriers companies face, and how to get the most from your efforts.
Read the full report
Informed CIO: Dollars & Sense: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Cut through the VDI hype and get the full picture -- including ROI and the impact on your Data Center -- to make an informed decision about your virtual desktop infrastructure deployments.
Read the full report
SPONSORED BY DELL
BRIEFINGS
CASE STUDIES
EBOOKS
PUBLIC SECTOR RESOURCES
VIDEOS
WHITE PAPERS
A Video Case Study – Translational Genomics Research Institute
e2 Video
On the Case
TGen IT: Where We're Going Next
7|11|12   |   08:12   |   10 comments

Now that TGen has broken new ground in genomic research by using Dell's storage, cloud, and high-performance computing solutions, the company discusses what will come next for it and for personalized medicine.
On the Case
Better Care Through Better Communications
6|6|12   |   02:24   |   12 comments

The achievements of the TGen/Dell project could improve how all people receive healthcare, because they are creating ways to improve end-to-end communication of medical data.
On the Case
TGen IT: Where We Are Now
5|15|12   |   06:58   |   5 comments

TGen is breaking new ground in genomic research by using Dell's storage, cloud, and high-performance computing solutions.
On the Case
TGen IT: Where We Were
4|27|12   |   06:45   |   10 comments

The Translational Genomics Research Institute wanted to save lives, but its efforts were hobbled by immense computing challenges related to collecting, processing, sharing, and storing enormous amounts of data.
On the Case
1,200% Faster
4|18|12   |   02:27   |   12 comments

Through their partnership, Dell and TGen have increased the speed of TGen’s medical research by 1,200 percent.
On the Case
IT May Improve Children's Chances of Survival
4|17|12   |   02:12   |   8 comments

IT is helping medical researchers reach breakthroughs in a way and pace never seen before.
On the Case
Medical Advances in the Cloud
4|10|12   |   1:25   |   5 comments

TGen and Dell are pushing the boundaries of computing, and harnessing the power of the cloud to improve healthcare.
On the Case
TGen: Living the Mission
4|9|12   |   2:25   |   3 comments

TGen's CIO puts the organizational mission at the heart of everything the IT staff does.
On the Case
TGen Speeding Up Biomedical Research to Save More Lives
4|5|12   |   1:59   |   8 comments

The Translational Genomics Research Institute is revamping its computing to improve speed, storage, and collaboration – and, most importantly, to save lives.
On the Case
Computing Power Helping to Save Children's Lives
3|28|12   |   2:13   |   3 comments

The Translational Genomics Institute’s partnership with Dell is enabling them to treat kids with neuroblastoma more quickly and save more lives.
Tom Nolle
VMWare & the Bicameral Model of MDM
5|22|13   |   2:14   |   No comments

VMware has a new solution to the MDM problem, two virtual phones inside a real phone, at least for Android phones. Currently limited to two models, the idea could expand and provide a way of letting companies harmonize their need to manage corporate use of phones while preserving BYOD.
Ivan Schneider
Clash of the Tableau 8: Release the Kraken!
5|17|13   |   2:42   |   No comments

Tableau 8 has some great data visualization and presentation capabilities, but it's best paired with a strong data analysis framework.
Tom Nolle
Using Virtualization – for Real!
5|13|13   |   2:10   |   2 comments

There's a lot of hype about virtualization of networks, NaaS, and SDN, but there's a couple of proven applications that enterprises could adopt right now and potentially save money and improve operations.
Tom Nolle
Is UC Becoming Oxymoronic or Just Moronic?
5|9|13   |   2:12   |   No comments

Skype/Outlook UC integration means we're going to have competition and fragmentation of UC client architectures, but is that bad? Modern devices can support IM, email, voice, and video clients, so maybe it's the back end of UC we need to be worried about.
E2 Editors
Windows vs. Integrated Circuit CPUs
4|17|13   |   4:45   |   5 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
Radio vs. Public Internet Access
4|17|13   |   4:34   |   14 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
Mainframes vs. Servers
4|17|13   |   4:34   |   16 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
TCP/IP vs. Printing Press
4|17|13   |   3:07   |   5 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
BYOD vs. E-Commerce
4|12|13   |   3:12   |   11 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
Telecommuting vs. Outsourcing
4|12|13   |   4:19   |   7 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
Personal Computer vs. Mobile Devices
4|12|13   |   4:28   |   20 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
E2 Editors
Smartphones vs. Productivity Software
4|12|13   |   3:09   |   13 comments

The editors make their predictions about what will win the next match-up in the E2 Tournament of IT Revolutionaries.
Tom Nolle
There's More to Mobility Than the Mobile Worker
4|9|13   |   2:03   |   5 comments

Workers are now used to portable device support throughout their everyday lives. We should be looking at the policy of providing fixed-desk devices to support stationary workers. Could portable support be smarter?
Ivan Schneider
From Kim Jong-Un's Trackball to Nuance Voice Ads
4|5|13   |   3:21   |   9 comments

Input devices run the gamut, from the humble Missile Command-style trackball to advanced speech recognition. Unfortunately, these input devices can be used for evil as well as good. Case in point: mobile ads that want you to talk to them.
Tom Nolle
Data/Storage Wish List for Enterprises
4|3|13   |   2:19   |   1 comment

Enterprises want three things in storage systems: First is some speech-recognition way of capturing videoconference data for indexing; second is semantic/AI analysis of emails and IM for content indexing; third is a better system for managing hierarchical layers of storage.