Week 3

Collaboration: The Power of Data Aggregation

This article is about the incredible challenges in healthcare that are also changing the way health information is collected, exchanged and applied. With the advances in technology, comes challenges that make protecting information even more difficult than ever. Since this subject is so entwined with the career path I have chosen, I am intensely interested in it.

The subject of aggregating and sharing data will be debated for many years to come. There are wonderful benefits and frightening risks when our personal information is transmitted electronically. The controversies surrounding these new ideas are causing delays in technological advances. Aggregating data (which will create the first comprehensive and consistent source of data) will, I believe, improve health care enormously. Once the general population is convinced that their personal information is secure, I believe they will feel the same way.

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/209949/topic/WS_HLM2_TEC/Collaboration-The-Power-of-Data-Aggregation.html



Buying Prescription Medicine Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide

The tool I’m using this week is about buying prescription medicine online. The internet has opened many doors for us that 10 or 15 years ago we never would have imagined. One of these is the opportunity to buy our prescription medication online. This has been wonderful for many people. While some may prefer to buy their medication online because of their busy schedules, some need to have theirs delivered to them. The latter may be elderly, invalid, or very chronically ill.

While buying medication online is very convenient, there are some concerns. You need to make sure you buy from a U.S. state-licensed pharmacy. Some companies won’t protect your personal information. Some sell fake medication, medication that is not developed uniformly, is expired, not FDA approved, is contraindicative with other medication, or not labeled correctly. Some websites to use as to make sure you are using an acceptable pharmacy are:

www.nabp.net - has a list of state boards of pharmacy.
www.vipps.info - where you can find a list of Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal.

If you stick to these, you should be safe.

If there is a problem, you can report it at www.fda.gov/buyonline and click on “Notify FDA about problem websites.”

The reason I chose this is my dad buys his medication online. He takes a lot and it is much less expensive that way.

http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/