Comments on: N.Y. hospital taps Microsoft to digitize records

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital will use the software maker's technology to help make health records electronically available to patients.

[tm_anon]

Will these records be based on a single standard?

For example, if I go to this hospital which runs Microsofts software to put my information online, will the next hospital I go to be able to read the information even if they're running Googles software?

Perhaps more important than any other area, hospitals need to be able to communicate with each other in the very least where patient records are concerned.

[mbenedict]

Actually numerous standards are required, reflecting the bewildering complexity of hospital and patient informatics. For electronic health record communications specifically, look at HL7 and ISO 13606.

This current vision for a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system itself is fairly new. It was proposed by President Bush in 2004 during his State of the Union address, setting a goal to modernize Health Information Technology by 2014. The scope goes beyond patient records, but also hospital workflows, exchange of laboratory results, etc. This vision is also being adopted internationally, and by necessity more standards are being drafted and revised.

[Commander_Spock]

Re: "This vision is also being adopted internationally, and by necessity more standards are being drafted and revised..."

If there are 25 million (and counting) unemployed workers and their families around the world who cannot afford health care costs, roofs over their heads, food on the family table, pay for their children's education... then what "health records (will these have) available online"!

[Dalkorian]

Mdenedict posted a very nice response that completely and totally ignores history. If I can answer your question with another question Tm, has M$ *EVER* played nicely with *ANYONE* else? I'm sure most of the basic data will have to come across, but we all know that it simply won't work right unless everyone comes to the M$ plantation.

What good is it to fight for slavery and then not even bother to construct walls around the plantation to keep the slaves from seeking freedom?

I just feel sorry for the patients of this hospital - anyone wanna bet how long it takes "the bad guys" to gain access to this system? Hint: look at M$'s history on security.

> Will these records be based on a single standard?

When Microsoft is involved you can rest assured they will NEVER submit to a standard. Throughout Microsoft's entire history I've watched this scenario play out time and time again. Microsoft enters a market and destroys any fair competition. The consumer will lose here as they have in many other areas. Not to mention health records being stored on an insecure and unstable Microsoft technology.

[monkeyfun14]

Insecure and unstable?

So you could create better technologies?

Go spread your FUD elsewhere please.

[ppgreat]

I suppose MLB dropping Silverlight would be FUD too, right?

[Dalkorian]

My DOG could write more secure code monkeyfun. So could you.

[nscnet]

But secure code won't get you anywhere if you don't have the funds...

[BtmnHatesRbn]

Let the malware flow.

[monkeyfun14]

FUD

[Dalkorian]

No monkeyboy, he's just capable of learning from history.

[nscnet]

No Dalkorian. He just isn't a FUD spreader like you.

Get with the future, and understand from the past, Microsoft is here to stay, and they are not going ANYWHERE.

[ppgreat]

Remind me never to get sick in New York!

[Maxwell Studly]

OK, Get sick some place else? Please

[ppgreat]

Who am I to argue with a guy named "Studly".

[Maxwell Studly]

Yes, you're not "great" enough to argue with a guy named Studly. Don't cry.

[helroth]

I guess this is good if you have a virus - Microsoft's got a lot experience with that.