For the Record: Protecting Electronic Health Information

tively isolated offshore island of Catalina via state-of-the-art telemedicine systems. Patients will be cared for in their own locale by means of PacBell network transmittal of USC Emergency medicine support instead of having to travel to distant specialists (e.g., by helicopter or boat from Catalina).

Contact: F.W. George III, M.D.

University of Southern California

Advanced Biotechnical Consortium

1537 Norfolk Street, DEI-5103

Los Angeles, CA 90033

(213) 342-3671
Support rural primary care physicians consulting with remote specialists in West Virginia. A consortium of nine institutions led by the Concurrent Engineering Research Center of the West Virginia University will demonstrate the viability of secure clinical telemedicine on public telecommunication networks and show that its adoption as an integral part of an overall health care plan can result in cost savings and improved access to quality health care for rural populations. Rural primary care physicians, physicians' assistants, and other authorized users will have secure access to electronic medical records and patient monitor data, and be able to confer with collaborating health care providers at a distance in the treatment of patients.

Contact: Ramana Reddy, Ph.D.

Concurrent Engineering Research Center

West Virginia University

886 Chestnut Ridge Road

Morgantown, WV 26506

(304) 293-7226 (304) 293-7541(fax)
Improve care to high-risk newborns and their families in Massachusetts. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center will use telemedicine to provide educational and emotional support to families of high-risk newborns both during their hospitalization and following discharge. This innovative use of technology should increase parents understanding of their baby's continuing medical needs and provide a clear cost savings. Prior to their baby's discharge from the hospital, parents will be able to observe the baby's care via a television monitor in their home. Following discharge, patients in their homes will continue to be connected via television to Beth Israel Hospital. The trial will examine the potential of

Table of Contents

Front Matter R1-R22

Executive Summary 1-18

1 Introduction 19-36

2 The Public Policy Context 37-53

3 Privacy and Security Concerns Regarding Electric Health Information 54-81

4 Technical Approaches to Protecting Electronic Health Information 82-126

5 Organizational Approaches to Protecting Electronic Health Information 127-159

6 Findings and Recommendations 160-196

Bibliography 197-208

Appendix A Study Committee's Site Visit Guide 209-220

Appendix B Individuals Who Briefed the Study Committee 221-221

Appendix C National Library of Medicine Awards to Develop Health Care Applications of the National Information Infrastructure 222-232

Appendix D Sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191) Related to the Privacy and Security of Electronic Health Information 233-246

Appendix E Committee Biographies 247-254

Index 255-264