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Apple Adds Medical Records Feature For iPhone (cnbc.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the on-the-go dept.

On Wednesday, Apple released the test version of a new product that lets users download their health records, store them safely and show them to a doctor, caregiver or friend. "We view the future as consumers owning their own health data," Apple COO Jeff Williams said in an interview with CNBC. From the report: It all works when a user opens the iPhone's health app, navigates to the health record section, and, on the new tool, adds a health provider. From there, the user taps to connect to Apple's software system and data start streaming into the service. Patients will get notified via an alert if new information becomes available. In June, CNBC first reported on Apple's plans, including early discussions with top U.S. hospitals. The company confirmed that it has contracts with about a dozen hospitals across the country, including Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Penn Medicine and the University of California, San Diego. The medical information available will include allergies, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, procedures and vitals. The information is encrypted and protected through a user's iPhone passcode.

12 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Apple's reaction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now apple gets to tout that they need flawless encryption to prevent being accused of HIPPA violations!
    Playing one agency of the government against the other ought to be fun.

    1. Re:Apple's reaction by Known+Nutter · · Score: 2

      * HIPAA https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/inde...

      --
      Beware of the Leopard.
  2. No by willoughby · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So Apple want me to use the same passcode for both my phone access and my medical records? There's no way I'd even consider doing that.

    1. Re:No by vux984 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      This actually the biggest issue I have as well. We need to be able to easily create and manage layers of security within our phones.

      I'm fine with a simple convenient pin or fingerprint to unlock my phone to place a call, check sms, get directions, use the pay parking app, etc.

      But I'd like to have to enter a more secure passphrase to access work email, open documents, view pictures, etc.

      And perhaps have something even above that for banking, or health records.

      Having a secure passphrase to answer the phone makes the phone unusable. And having anything really important protected by a 4 digit code isn't acceptable, so i can't have anything important on my phone as a result.

    2. Re:No by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2

      And having anything really important protected by a 4 digit code isn't acceptable, so i can't have anything important on my phone as a result.

      What phone do you have which only offers the choice of a 4-digit lock code? It’s obviously not an iPhone - even the default is 6 digits, and you can choose a pass phrase that’s as arbitrarily hard as you’d like.

      Additionally, there are some options that let you select what TouchID can and can’t be used to unlock. I’ll be curious to see if your health information is one of them in this new beta.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    3. Re:No by Dog-Cow · · Score: 2

      I send WhatsApp messages to my wife every day without unlocking my phone. You need a better phone, or you need an education.

  3. Too much trust by zferrini · · Score: 2

    Really? You think I would trust any COMPANY to guard any of my data. With the rate at which hackers can get into your phone (vendor doesn't matter) I don't bank nor allow any personal information on any device. I have been an IT Systems Engineer for 25 years and know these systems inside and out. Anyone trusting Apple or Google with your data is stupid beyond belief!

  4. Re:How bout NO! by rupert.applin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The solution is based on FHIR which is an open standard - as described here https://www.hl7.org/fhir/overv... "Healthcare records are increasingly becoming digitized. As patients move around the healthcare ecosystem, their electronic health records must be available, discoverable, and understandable. Further, to support automated clinical decision support and other machine-based processing, the data must also be structured and standardized. (See Coming digital challenges in healthcare) HL7 has been addressing these challenges by producing healthcare data exchange and information modeling standards for over 20 years. FHIR is a new specification based on emerging industry approaches, but informed by years of lessons around requirements, successes and challenges gained through defining and implementing HL7 v2 , HL7 v3 and the RIM, and CDA . FHIR can be used as a stand-alone data exchange standard, but can and will also be used in partnership with existing widely used standards."

  5. When I was diagnosed... by GerryGilmore · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...with an AVM back in the late 1980s, I asked my neurologist what would happen to me if it popped and no one could access the great MRI pictures he'd taken of it. Basically, "too bad". All of you government haters can tune the fuck out right now when I say that ALL of our medical records SHOULD be on-line and available to ALL medical personnel when needed. Before you "privacy-uber-alles" types start getting *your* panties in a wad, there can easily be audit trails and other mechanisms (including SEVERE penalties for inappropriate access to same) to prevent abuse, and you ignore the "greater good". For me, I'd MUCH rather have the EMS personnel responding to my twitching, unconscious body know about my AVM and be able to respond with real, accurate info than worry that someone will find out I got the clap back in 1979. Fuck y'all! You don't want to participate? Fine, have an opt-out option. Me, sign me da fuck up!

    1. Re:When I was diagnosed... by johnstrass1 · · Score: 2

      What is there to hide, really?? 99% of people have absolutely uintetersting medical data. Moreover, 100% of drug companies already have access to your PHI / medical information because pharmacies and health insurance companies sell it.

    2. Re:When I was diagnosed... by thegarbz · · Score: 2

      What part of "have an opt out" did you miss?

      For all the "taboo" things you think people care about, the vast majority of the population has no such misgivings about their medical records. A system that improves the general good for the overwhelmingly vast majority of the population is exactly the textbook use case for opt-out systems.

  6. Re:so... now Apple will have all your med records by shilly · · Score: 2

    Sigh. Apple sells *devices*, not data. The records data sits on your devices and Apple doesn't get to see it. In fact, it's engineered so that Apple can't see it even if it wanted to. That's kinda the point. It's a competitive differentiation from Android.