One Size Doesn't Fit All Why HIPAA Should Not Be Extended to Cover PHRs

摘要

Mr. Johnson, a 15-year Navy veteran, recently retired from the armed forces. Because of the nature of his employment, Mr. Johnson has lived in seven different states during the past 15 years. While on vacation last winter, Mr. Johnson was rushed to the hospital after suffering from severe headaches accompanied by a tingling sensation in his left arm. The treating physicians asked Mr. Johnson for his complete medical history, including any recent MRI or CT scans. Mr. Johnson knew that he had undergone numerous tests over the last few years, but the records were scattered across several states and he could not remember the names of his former physicians. As a result, Mr. Johnson's physicians asked him to undergo additional testing, prolonging his diagnosis and ultimately delaying his treatment.