The lack of coordinated records in health care is incredible … and inexcusable

2013

Ok, my wife and I are in the local hospital (really, she is sitting on the treatment couch and I’m writing this on my iPhone; I’m nuts, right? but you can’t say my posts aren’t timely) for pre-whatever in advance of a minor outpatient procedure. My wife has been to this facility for scans, lab work, outpatient visits to a doctor and more, some visits within the last month.

No matter, all the paper work must be completed again. All the insurance cards must be submitted and copied again. I asked the person at the desk why their own departments don’t coordinate with one another. Her response was; “You would think, wouldn’t you.” I know, it’s so frustrating.”

Indeed it is frustrating and inefficient and costly… and stupid!

During the visit, the doctor was looking for the results of a scan, it wasn’t in the file so the nurse went to get a copy … I had a copy on my iPhone.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to have the information stored in a central location? Why do we even carry insurance and Medicare ID cards? Why don’t we have the ability to log on to a website and call up all the current information? When I ask about all this I frequently hear that’s it’s because of privacy. Privacy you say, for Pete’s sake my iPhone knows where I am 24 hours a day as do most of my apps. Facebook knows I am in the men’s restroom in Copenhagen. There is no such thing as privacy.

This lack of efficiency, wasted effort and wasted money is outrageous, inexcusable in the 21st century.

Rise up America, enough is enough! You are paying for all this nonsense.

Pass this along to all your friends and tell them to do the same. Talk to your health care providers and let them hear your frustration (which most share by the way)