Too Much Privacy Is A Health Hazard IPrint Article INewsweek.com http://www .newsweel

Too Much Privacy Is A Health Hazard IPrint Article INewsweek.com http://www.newsweeK.COmlIOlMILMfourpuTlpr

Drug interactions are not the only potential hazard. Suppose a person whose records are on file atone hospital shows up in the emergency room of another. Even if the records can be transferred, state law may bar the release of information about mental illness or HN status, forcing the ER physician to fly half blind. A laceration on a patient with a history of severe depression may warrant more than sutures-'-it may have been a suicide gesture. Likewise, pneumonia in a patient with HIV requires qifferent tests and treatments than it would in someone else.

Even when privacy advocates concede that doctors need unfettered access to patients' records, most favor ,

shielding them from HMO administrators. But a responsible health plan can put clinical information to good use. As part of a "disease management" program, an HMO may use computer software to determine

\ whether patients with a chronic condition, such as asthma or hypertension, are filling their prescriptions and showing up for appointments. Those who fall behind may get a reminder bymail or phone. These programs can measurably improve people's health, but patients often miss out on them by refusing to authorize access to their records. Some plans hesitate even to launch such programs. One MassachUsetts HMO is now debating whether to send flu-shot reminders to members with HN. The program would

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almost surely save lives, but it wouldjust as surely draw criticism as a breach of confidentiality.

Privacy advocates are especially wary ofelectroni