Medical record keeping has change in the last couple of decades. In the past patients records were kept in a file on paper taking up excessive room. In the past, paper charts were the only means of keeping a patient’s medical diagnoses documented. Some of these charts are still used today in healthcare facilities, lately; there have been great advancements in the medical field involving the creation and maintenance of patient records. There are electronic medical record computer systems and internet-enabled doctor correspondence methods. All of this is to make the experience better for the patient and easier for the medical provider. In 2009, the 111th Congress allocated $19 billion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, toward the creation of an electronic health record (EHR) for each person in the United States by 2014. The recent debate over EHRs has focused largely on the economic, logistical, and political consequences of implementing such a system; however, the country should also contemplate the ethical ramifications of EHRs. Addressing these concerns requires the application of ethical principles such as autonomy, justice, beneficence/non-maleficence, and privacy and confidentiality.
The use of electronic technology for the management of health information presents expanded security risks due to increased capacity and mass storage. A single breach in security could lead to the unauthorized disclosure of private health information. Both health care organizations and providers are at an increased risk for licensure and legal consequences as a result of unprotected electronic health information. In addition to the legal consequences, organizations also have an ethical obligation to ensure proper protection of the information. The use of EHRs allow for quick access to accurate and complete medical records. Healthcare organizations face the challenge of