Although small, a survey of provider organizations, insurers and transactions processing vendors shows the industry is unprepared for the May 23 compliance date for the National Provider Identifier. The NPI rule requires that all providers and provider organizations that are HIPAA covered entities obtain a standard identifier to be used for billing and claims processing. Healthcare IT Transition Group, a consulting firm, put the survey together quickly after hearing many stories that complying with the NPI was “fraught with systemic flaws.”
In the next 10 to 20 years, the technology that allows us to use wireless headsets to chat on our cell phones could provide doctors with vital signs, according to a United Kingdom report. The report found that humans could one day have "in-body networks," a series of sensors implanted in a patient's body to let doctors monitor the body remotely. The report also predicted the creation of "on-body monitors," wearable devices that would send vital information via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to a portable monitor such as a watch or a cell phone. The technologies are being researched in United Kingdom universities.
Cincinnati doctors are experimenting with texting to help tweens and teens remember to take medicines that control chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes or kidney disease. Pilot testing recently began, with a full study set for later in 2008. Participants say what time they want the reminder, and a clinic volunteer types out the reminder messages.
For decades, the tabloids have made a cottage industry of star ailments. But now, celebrity representatives say that a growing appetite for entertainment-related news, coupled with an increasing reliance on computerized record-keeping, has dramatically increased invasions of medical privacy.
Engineers at Georgia Institute of Technology are developing a sensor-equipped necklace to help patients take their medication on time. "MagneTrace" uses magnetic sensors embedded in pills to detect when a pill is ingested. The sensors pass through the patient's digestive system. If a pill is not taken at the correct time, the necklace sends a signal to a smart phone that alerts the patient. If that prompt is ignored, the phone contacts a doctor or caregiver.
Google has launched Google Health, a medical records service letting users store and manage their healthcare information online. Google said it built a secure computer platform separate from its search system to host medical records to keep the health information protected. Privacy advocates are skeptical, however, and seek proof that online medical information will be safe from tampering or snooping. Skeptics say the information would be valuable to insurance companies or employers out to reduce liabilities by shunning those with health issues.