Amazon has played a significant role in the opening up of a new frontier. Reports are indicating that the technological device, Alexa, could now be used to transmit patient data. Patient data and information are significant aspects that need to be guided by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It, therefore, means that health information can only be shared between the relevant parties, including the patient and the health care system. Medical information such as the medical diagnosis and prescriptions should not be availed to the third parties. The Alexa-enabled devices, according to Amazon, will transmit patient information and remain HIPAA compliant. The Alexa devices are installed with a set of skills designed to help patients manage several healthcare needs via the use of their voice. The Alexa technology will serve a crucial role in making medical appointments, checking prescription status, accessing post-discharge instructions, and checking the prescription delivery status, among others.
The rationale for Topic Selection
Technology continues to impact health in various fashions that could never have been envisioned. It is important to note that as technological innovation continues to take shape, healthcare becomes more efficient and effective. Telehealth and telemedicine have enabled patients to remotely access various services remotely, thus saving on resources, time, and removing the need for lengthy hospital stays. One of the technological advancements of recent times that will help hospitals and care facilities to achieve the telehealth goals is known as Alexa. It is a voice device enabled with skills that allow it to transmit and receive patient information with a keen consideration of the privacy laws. Therefore, this topic will assess how information technology devices such as Alexa continue to enhance efficiency in the care setting, including the potential advantages and drawbacks it might have.
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Compliance with the HIPAA Laws
The HIPAA laws enhance healthcare privacy and confidentiality of patient information. In proving so, Perez (2019) says, "Amazon itself provides the HIPAA-eligible environment for skill building, while the developers themselves are required to comply with the applicable laws." This should be regarded as an advantage because it ensures that all the voice application developers can follow the HIPAA guidelines the creation of skills for Alexa. The Alexa skills have been devised in a way that enables the exchange and transmission of protected healthcare information. However, it is essential to note that consumers will have to understand and appreciate how Amazon will secure their data before they feel comfortable enough to employ the use of medical skills. Therefore, healthcare customers should not worry about the fate of their health information based on the fact that the Alexa devices and skills will adhere to the necessary laws as regards the protection of privacy.
How Alexa Will Transmit Patient Information
A major breakthrough experienced with the Alexa devices stems from the fact that they will enable the transmission of patient data. According to Rosenthal (2019), diabetes patients can use the device to query their initial blood sugar level, trends in blood sugar measurement, and other insights that are personalized to them. Alexa is installed with a set of skills which enables the developers to install voice programs which allow the transmission of a patient's private information in accordance with the HIPAA laws. As previously mentioned, the devices are fitted with skills or voice programs that enable it to serve the needs of the patients better. One of the skills that exist in the market today is known as the Express Scripts, which enables a patient to check the status of the home delivery prescriptions. Through this, they can acquire Alexa notifications when their Alexa notifications are on transit.
Cigna health Today enables individuals to manage their health improvement goals and bolster their opportunities for achieving personalized care incentives. Another Alexa-enabled program is known as “My Children’s Enhanced Recovery after Surgery” (ERAS) which allows customers to get updates on their recovery and further receive information pertaining to their hospital appointments (Perez, 2019). The amount of convenience that comes with the Alexa-enabled devices cannot be ignored. Customers can now access healthcare services at the comfort of their homes. Secondly, it is among the first technological aspects that enable patients to acquire healthcare services, transmit, and receive information via the use of the voice.
Potential Drawbacks
Alexa will bring similar drawbacks that any other health information or telehealth device comes with. The only unique concern that comes with Alexa regards the possibility of jeopardizing privacy. However, these fears have been mitigated by HIPAA compliance. The first disadvantage with Alexa includes the prospect of limiting physician interaction with the patient. With the possibility of acquiring information from the comfort of one's home, a virtual barrier between the physician and the patient tends to widen, which can implicate healthcare delivery. Secondly, just like any other technological devices, it can be prone to errors of omission and commission. It remains crucial to note that the device uses voice recognition techniques making it sensitive to the changes in the environment (Rosenthal, 2019). Health, being a crucial part of life, can be severely impacted in the event of unforeseen errors.
Informatics Skills and Knowledge
Coiera (2015) asserted that health informatics focuses on devices and methods for acquiring, retrieval, and storage of health information. Alexa is part and parcel of the health informatics due to its role in the transmission and retrieval of healthcare information. More importantly, it adheres to laws governing health informatics such as the HIPPA laws which guide privacy. The application of healthcare technology is also a fundamental aspect that makes Alexa part of the health informatics. The voice recognition device has been installed with a host of skills in the form of programs that allows its functionality. The transmission of the patient data only happens between the patient and the healthcare system without any unauthorized access by a third party. It, therefore, adheres to the basic aspects of informatics skills and knowledge required to enhance efficiency and effectiveness successfully.
Conclusion
The Alexa technology will serve a crucial role in making medical appointments, checking prescription status, accessing post-discharge instructions, and checking the prescription delivery status, among others. Alexa has several advantages in dealing with health informatics. First, it enhances efficiency and effectiveness as customers are able to transmit information at the comfort of their houses. Secondly, it conforms to the HIPAA laws on patient privacy, therefore, guaranteeing the privacy of the patient. Patients can receive vital healthcare information, including diagnostic and prescription information thus limiting their trips to the care facilities. However, it can also suffer certain drawbacks, including errors due to failure and the fact that it limits physician-patient interaction. Lastly, it is important to identify Alexa as a fundamental part of the health informatics tools. It applies the use of computer technology and adheres to relevant laws guiding health data. Although the technology is at its infancy, there is hope that it will be incorporated into various care facilities for use.
References
Coiera, E., (2015). Guide to health informatics. CRC press.
Perez, S., (2019). Amazon Alexa launches its first HIPAA-compliant medical skills. TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/04/amazon-alexa-launches-its-first-hipaa-compliant-medical-skills/
Rosenthal, E., (2019). Analysis: Why Alexa's bedside manner is bad for healthcare. FierceHealthcare https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/analysis-why-alexa-s-bedside-manner-bad-for-health-care
