Healthcare Engineering

At least in the US, healthcare IT, along with so many other things, including the economy, is stalled. This is due to complete uncertainty about Obamacare, Obamanomics, upcoming rules and regulations, changes to the tax code, etc.

Until there are clearly defined answers, rather than indecision and murky waters, pretty much everything in the US, including healthcare IT, will remain stagnant. As long as Obamacare looms, no one involved in healthcare is going to be doing costly software/system upgrades.

There is the other side to the coin. The whole field of data security is in shambles. The ownership of your health data is in worse shape. And forget about portability, because it is inherently entangled with ownership rights.

Data security is in shambles, because there are too many entities claiming access to YOUR data, and from totally unsecured devices and networks. I have not seen a comprehensive solution, not even the right questions leading to it. The old fashioned present paper system at least does not permit indiscriminate and untraceable data snatch. And the doctor owns it and you own it.

The centralized health care - in the present incarnation "Obamacare" - claims ownership of YOUR data. That is part and parcel of the centralized system. Europa at least established data protection with real teeth, that disclosing your data is punishable. The US, in the present form has none. Quite contrary, YOU have no access to your own data, no control of your own data. But bureaucracies are entitled to use it explicitly, and bar you from it. Do YOU want your whole medical life story be laid bare to a large number of "allowed" persons, and thru them - in the final account - to anybody in the world?!?

Did I claim ill will? No, but the road to hell is paved with good intention and laziness.

Compared to such fundamental rights issues IT questions are insignificant.

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No, I am not paranoid. But, frequently even paranoids are right on something.

Here is a report of massive data theft and repeated intrusions at UCLA medical center. Such data is too deliciously valuable and attractive.

Massive patient data theft at UCLA

Let be reminded of the repeated massive data "losses" at the Veteran Administration.

Take it as an IT failure, or human vices. It is all the same: Failure, big time.

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Those refusing to learn from the past, are bound to repeat it. Santayana

OVER POPULATION IS POLUTION!

CUT 20% OF EXTREEMIST "BOTH DIRECTIONS!

PUT A STOP TO RELIGION!

END POLITICS!

That should make things much healther...