AMA Endorses Implanted RFID Records
The American Medical Association released a new policy statement (doc) acknowledging the value of implanting RFID-enabled devices containing key health information under patients’ skin.
The national organization cited benefits to patient safety and efficiency offered by device implantation, particularly for patients with chronic health conditions that would influence decision-making, such as potential drug interactions. Access to such information would also facilitate coordination of patient care.
The group noted, however, that ethical issues such as safety of confidential patient information must be considered. Other concerns are device safety. Small devices, following implantation under the skin, may move to another part of the patient’s body or interfere with electronic devices such as defibrillators.
Another facet of concerns cited by the group are potential social consequences, such as using devices as a surveillance tool. Such notions harken an Orwellian world, but are still important considerations.
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June 29, 2007 Related topics: Ethics & Scandals, Wireless