I've been reading a lot about electronic health records. I went to my primary and 3 specialists in the past month and each one had the wrong information about my medications.
I think the worst incident was that my med list had zestril on it and also lisinopril. So the nurse asked me, are you taking both zestril and lisinopril? I said no...lisinopril is the generic of zestril. I wondered why it was listed twice, once under the brand name and another under the generic. Then it hit me, someone in that office didn't know the generic name for zestril which is unsettling.
I also had the right medication listed but with inaccurate dosing schedules. And one doctor flat out thought I was taking lasix and I had to correct her, no I'm taking bumex. Bumex is about 40 times stronger than lasix! Very important to get that right!
After doing much reading about this and being horrified about the deaths that have happened due to the e-record system, I've come to the conclusion that I am going to take care of my own records. Getting copies of them and reviewing them for errors. What a burden this is for a patient but nobody seems to be concerned with accuracy and because it is my health, I am taking control of it.
Also, isn't it odd that the doctor spends more time looking at a screen than interacting with you? I found out that on the emr software, they are actually given prompts and clinical diagnosis support. Truly scary. If I wanted a computer algorithm to diagnose me then I wouldn't go to the doctor for his expertise.
Anyhow, here is a blog written by a critic of the e-records. And also, did you know that physicians and hospitals have received incentives to implement these systems? Google HITECH Act and "meaningful use".
http://hcrenewal.blogspot.com/2013/02/are-health-it-hyper-enthusiasts-inept.html
1|1|I carry a typed up list of my medications, health issues, allergies etc. in my purse. I update it and print out a new list|lv2qpon|jcummins1@rochester.rr.com|15:30:45|02/20/2013|
when needed. This really came in handy when I recently had to go to the ER twice. It was hard to talk both times so I just handed the list to the person taking the info. I am allergic to metal and that somehow got eliminated from my electronic info. 2|2|great idea, I do it too|cinda68|lacinda68@gmail.com|15:36:30|02/20/2013|
I've kept an index card in my purse with my medications for years now. Lot easier to just hand that over than saying them all. I'm on 12 medications so I don't want to go through that list all the time, over and over. 3|1|I always carry a hard copy and question any drug given me in the hospital...i found error on my bp meds, i always double check my drugs before i swollow them as i can make an error as well.|BMOREGAL|bmoregal2000@aol.com|16:07:05|02/22/2013|
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