| Isn't it amazing how we can travel the world and pay | | | | credit cards in a wallet or purse, so they are |
| for nearly anything with a credit card? This is possible | | | | accessible at all times. Medical records should be used |
| because credit cards are simple: they use a standard | | | | in the same way. Patients should have their data |
| device; they are relatively secure; and they use a | | | | handy at all times. Just like making a purchase, their |
| common data standard. In the world of electronic | | | | health information should only be available to |
| medical records, we should strive for this same level | | | | physicians they choose. One key difference is that |
| of interoperability. Just like a credit card, we should | | | | credit card purchase information travels over a |
| be able to use our medical records anywhere in the | | | | network. Sending medical data over networks is |
| world, anytime we choose, and maintain personal | | | | where the model fails. There are many reported |
| control over our information at all times. | | | | health data breaches every year, many of which lead |
| Credit cards use a standard device to store | | | | to identity theft. Rather than using a network like the |
| information; all of the data is encoded onto a | | | | banking industry, medical records software should |
| magnetic stripe. Since credit cards don't carry much | | | | save data in a standard format on a USB drive. Just |
| data, this works well. Medical records, however, are | | | | like with online purchases, encryption can protect |
| quite complex and sometimes require a substantial | | | | sensitive medical data. |
| amount of storage, especially when including x-rays | | | | Credit cards use a common data standard. Terminals |
| or other images. Another important difference is that | | | | all over the world can read credit cards, regardless of |
| medical records must be constantly updated. Carrying | | | | manufacturer. This is possible because of standard |
| outdated medical records is more dangerous than not | | | | data formats. Magnetic stripes have been exactly the |
| having any records at all. Credit cards aren't designed | | | | same since their introduction in 1975; however almost |
| to have their data added to or changed, they are | | | | everything has changed in medicine in the last 35 |
| "read only." Medical records need a standard device, | | | | years. Even though medical technology will continue |
| similar to a credit card, but with the ability to read | | | | to evolve, interoperability will require a common way |
| and write data. USB storage devices are easy to | | | | of storing and communicating data. Extensible Markup |
| carry, and offer plenty of storage space; and some | | | | Language, or XML, is a common way to store and |
| are even designed to fit in your wallet. Almost every | | | | communicate data. It is used everyday by millions of |
| computer built in the past 12 years has a USB port, | | | | websites and software programs worldwide. There is |
| so they should be nearly as universal as credit card | | | | already a version of XML, known as Health Level 7, |
| terminals. | | | | or HL7, that is specialized for communicating and |
| Credit cards are relatively secure. The cards are | | | | storing medical data. Choosing a standard data |
| protected by security codes, expiration dates, and | | | | format is necessary for any interoperable system. |
| encryption when used online. Most people keep their | | | | |