More levels of compromise emerge when for any given EHR, pertaining to a single patient–provider pairing, physical instances are created due a need to exchange healthcare information amongst providers. Here, because of the exchange, transient physical instances may exist in a RHIO or HIE and served up to many additional EHRs (e.g., pharmacy, imaging center, consultant, etc.) on a transactional basis. In such a chain of exposure, privacy is protected and security is maintained only to the extent of the weakest link—the N–Silos problem.
Image 2. Single–Silo Problem
Gedankenversuch: the single–silo problem. Can healthcare information be maintained and utilized in a manner that minimizes the privacy and security risks inherent in N–Silos? Attributes:
- Single database environment (e.g., cloud analogy)—the permanent instance
- Transitory instance are transactionally created in secured web–browser (e.g., a device where the only operating software is a web–browser with no data leakage in or out of the browser)
- Secured broadband linkage between permanent and transitory instances.
- HIT infrastructure, with burdens, changes from provider–centric to system–centric and accentuates the primacy of privacy and security issues.
When considering the present understanding of PHR, perhaps the “P” for “personal” is not as important as “P” being for prevention…
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I believe that PHR is the necessity of the new world Over the years, many doctors and physicians have showed their full trust on EHR software. EHR software vendors have a big market now. EHR and practice management still goes hand in hand and one cannot rule out the possibility of moving on without either of them.
EHR software is basically a useful investment if physician wants to keep the records of the patient secure and updated on a single place. This software not only keep the records, it also keep them updated and provide useful information about any new drugs that have been introduced or any new advancement in medical field. As a result, a strategic plan can be formulated by physician that will eventually improve his business and practice management skills.