This is what happens when my mind is allowed to free-associate when I run. I was watching a show on the science channel on the mathematics behind the principle of “6 degrees of separation and Small World”. The show demonstrated that very simple networks can be developed to get person A to any other person or entity, B.
This got me thinking–always a dangerous proposition–why couldn’t this be done with EHR on a national level? One Super EHR. Cradle to grave healthcare records, one person (patient) and at time via a Small World network. Super EMRs, patient owned, to a single, repeatable, standardized EHR. Eliminate the Rhios with their multiplicitous standards, eliminate hospital’s mini-EHRs. Document the functionality that is required of the specialist practices and enable that data to be captured at the EMR level.
What do you think?
Pale Rhino Consulting 
Paul,
I’ve recently begun research into this area and was appalled to learn that the initiatives being spoken about are *not* long these lines. The flip side of that means that there is ample opportunity for someone to create such. Better get to work…
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Maybe the issue lays more with the number of firms aligned with the cash rather than the notion of solving the problem.
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I think I saw the same show – I think the average number of hops was less than three? Anyway, I like to think of it as this mass distributed entity (like our power grid should be) with all being able to operate at the local, state, regional and national level with various limitations at each level – now all we need is a real EMPI – which by the way you don’t see much talk of in the current flurry of EHR activity!
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The issues really lie in privacy, policy and motivation to do such a thing. The technology for doing such a thing isn’t an issue anymore. It’s all those other factors which might be impossible to over come. That said, I hope you and other people will be able to do the impossible.
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Thanks again for your input John. I do not have breakfast until I’ve checked off at least one impossible task 🙂
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You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
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That’s good to hear–so much for thinking I was having an original thought. Best – Paul
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