More EMR vs Privacy stuff: As long as we're navel-gazing re what the new administration may do with EMRs, it seems HHS has also issued a "framework" for the electronic exchange of PHI. It is HHS' way of trying to note, and strike a balance between, the needs for electronic information interchange as well the countervaling need for privacy and security of the underlying information. The principals do seem like good guideposts for policy-makers to consider and for health industry participants to follow. There's nothing groundbreaking there, but it is a useful compendium of overarching concepts that must go into any HIT system design and implementation.
News story on the guidelines is here. Hat tip: the lovely and talented Jason Reinsch.