Ethical issues in computerized medical records

Greater use of computer technology has permitted rapid access to many forms of data. Hospitals have traditionally been slower to accept this technology for patient medical records. With the rapid approach of the new millennium, hospitals are being forced into re-evaluating many processes, including the volumes of data collected on paper. Electronic medical records are one approach to reducing storage and streamlining care across the health care continuum. This article examines the ethical impact of computerized medical records, including access to data, ownership of data, confidentiality, and medical record brokering.