U.S. Adults Not Very Confident that Physicians Have the Complete Picture

However, the confidence level jumps substantially for those clinicians using electronic medical records...BD

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Healthcare Poll finds that only one-third (33%) of U.S. adults are very confident in their physicians and other healthcare providers having a complete and accurate picture of their medical history. However, this confidence increases to half (50%) for those who have an electronic medical record. About one-fourth (26%) of adults say they use some form of electronic medical record, mainly one kept by their physician.

More adults (60%) feel that the benefits outweigh the privacy risks than those who do not (40%). Majorities agree that electronic medical records could reduce healthcare costs (55%), decrease medical errors (63%), and reduce redundant tests (67%) – similar to 2006 results. Even more (74%) believe that patients could receive better care if doctors and researchers were able to share information more easily. However, about one-quarter of adults are just not sure that electronic medical records could provide any of these benefits, indicating a need for continued talk about this matter.

U.S. Adults Not Very Confident that Physicians Have the Complete Picture, According to a New WSJ.com/Harris Interactive Survey

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Memorial staff says electronic patient records more secure than paper

Memorial purchased its system through McKesson, one of the largest medical information technology vendors, said Shawn Gordon, with Memorial's Medical Information Systems.  Except when dealing with insurance medical transfers, such patient information releases are strictly prohibited, said Mary Bannon, the Memorial RN over Clinical Informatics.

All Memorial employees sign patient privacy statements stating they understand that releasing patient information is grounds for dismissal.  When the station is left unattended the computer logs out, she said. Information seen over another's shoulder would also be difficult to translate as is encrypted in medical shorthand, she said.

The notes are electronically signed, numbered and dated making changes impossible, she said. "So actually this is more secure than paper — paper you can Xerox and change things," Ogletree said.