Everybody is looking at the consequences of having sensitive information online (and not surprisingly so considering forum), but nobody has looked at the tremendous need for this kind of service within the medical industry. Hospitals and clinics spend huge amounts of money maintaining, procuring, and sending patients medical records where they are needed. And many times medical records for patients can't be found. This is especially important in emergency situations, as not having access to critical medical histories can really limit the effectiveness of treatment given by doctors.
Nobody has stepped up to tackle this problem yet because it scares people to have this type of information indexed in a central database. Yet if we are to rein in the escalating costs of health care while still providing excellent treatment, this isn't just useful, it's necessary.
Slashdot Mirror
Everybody is looking at the consequences of having sensitive information online (and not surprisingly so considering forum), but nobody has looked at the tremendous need for this kind of service within the medical industry. Hospitals and clinics spend huge amounts of money maintaining, procuring, and sending patients medical records where they are needed. And many times medical records for patients can't be found. This is especially important in emergency situations, as not having access to critical medical histories can really limit the effectiveness of treatment given by doctors.
Nobody has stepped up to tackle this problem yet because it scares people to have this type of information indexed in a central database. Yet if we are to rein in the escalating costs of health care while still providing excellent treatment, this isn't just useful, it's necessary.