Re: Off-Topic: Firefighter Rehab Scanner

[Guest guest]

Not off topic at all.

The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How you

diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat data

if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

balance is not always an easy thing.

Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

Please excuse any typos.

(Cell)

LNMolino@...

> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> and the

> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> the back.

> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> enter

> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> something

> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> information will

> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> the name

> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> out of my

> own curiosity.

>

> Thank you for your time and assistance.

>

> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

>

>

[Guest guest]

Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode and chances

are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in having a barcode unless it

contained information like Lou said link that name to a file in a secure

database and that would be a start the barcode would only be coded information

that a computer could read the software would be what makes sense of it all

barcode could be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing that can be

built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which could be read through an

over there air radio. The long and short of it is YES a barcode on an id can be

encoded with just about anything you want to encode in it but you would have to

have a program that could read it and make it useful and that might be tough

getting hospitals and other care providers to participate

-Chris

Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny keyboard on my

iPhone

> Not off topic at all.

>

> The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How you

> diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

>

> You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat data

> if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> balance is not always an easy thing.

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> Please excuse any typos.

> (Cell)

> LNMolino@...

>

>

>

>> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

>> and the

>> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

>> the back.

>> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

>> enter

>> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

>> something

>> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

>> information will

>> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

>> the name

>> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

>> out of my

>> own curiosity.

>>

>> Thank you for your time and assistance.

>>

>> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Alyssa -

The device used is a portable barcode scanner. it uses a laser scanner to read

the data that is encoded onto the identification badge when it is produced. The

portable scanner must be running the correct software in order to

retrieve/decode the information that is printed on the badge.

A specific software and print format must also be used to encode the information

onto the badge. Usually the information is entered into a database that is

resident on the ID card software and printed by a special printer that produces

the ID cards.

Most of the hand-held scanners in use are Symbol Technologies devices, usually

the MC70, although there are some older scanners out there.

Many emergency agencies in the area started out using Salamander Technologies

accountability software to print and decode the badges I believe, but STRAC may

be using something different by now.

Stan Irwin

> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County, 

> and the

> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on 

> the back.

> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can 

> enter

> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and 

> something

> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the 

> information will

> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what 

> the name

> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply 

> out of my

> own curiosity.

>

> Thank you for your time and assistance.

>

> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

>

>

[Guest guest]

The problem is HIPAA is so damn mis used, mis understood, mis quoted and

plain just missed it's easy to walk into a minefield.

When this animal raised it's head back about 15 years ago even then privacy

was an issue. We developed a form gave it to members had them fill out

what they wanted (telling them they could just sign the form and date it

leaving it blank if they wanted to) and place it is heavy weight dark

envelopes,

sealed them, signed them and dated them. That set of envelopes was carried

in our ambulance with the intent that should it ever be needed the IC/OIC

would be the one to make sure it got to the hospital with the Member to be

opened if need be in the ED. We updated those annually or at any Member's

request. It worked for us a 25 man low volume VFD. Never had an issue. If a

Member left the whole envelope was shredded.

While I do miss the day to day aspects of operating an agency I do not miss

the levels of BS that we seem to layer upon ourselves at times.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

In a message dated 6/4/2010 9:17:42 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

amwoods8644@... writes:

I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

I think there's some potential here).

Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

> Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> hospitals and other care providers to participate

>

> -Chris

>

> Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> keyboard on my iPhone

>

> On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. " _lnmolino@..._

(mailto:lnmolino@...) >

> wrote:

>

> > Not off topic at all.

> >

> > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> you

> > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> >

> > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> data

> > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > balance is not always an easy thing.

> >

> > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > Please excuse any typos.

> > (Cell)

> > _LNMolino@..._ (mailto:LNMolino@...)

> >

> > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods _amwoods8644@..._

(mailto:amwoods8644@...) >

> wrote:

> >

> >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> >> and the

> >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> >> the back.

> >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> >> enter

> >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> >> something

> >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> >> information will

> >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> >> the name

> >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> >> out of my

> >> own curiosity.

> >>

> >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> >>

> >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> >>

> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The problem is HIPAA is so damn mis used, mis understood, mis quoted and

plain just missed it's easy to walk into a minefield.

When this animal raised it's head back about 15 years ago even then privacy

was an issue. We developed a form gave it to members had them fill out

what they wanted (telling them they could just sign the form and date it

leaving it blank if they wanted to) and place it is heavy weight dark

envelopes,

sealed them, signed them and dated them. That set of envelopes was carried

in our ambulance with the intent that should it ever be needed the IC/OIC

would be the one to make sure it got to the hospital with the Member to be

opened if need be in the ED. We updated those annually or at any Member's

request. It worked for us a 25 man low volume VFD. Never had an issue. If a

Member left the whole envelope was shredded.

While I do miss the day to day aspects of operating an agency I do not miss

the levels of BS that we seem to layer upon ourselves at times.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

In a message dated 6/4/2010 9:17:42 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

amwoods8644@... writes:

I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

I think there's some potential here).

Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

> Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> hospitals and other care providers to participate

>

> -Chris

>

> Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> keyboard on my iPhone

>

> On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. " _lnmolino@..._

(mailto:lnmolino@...) >

> wrote:

>

> > Not off topic at all.

> >

> > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> you

> > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> >

> > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> data

> > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > balance is not always an easy thing.

> >

> > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > Please excuse any typos.

> > (Cell)

> > _LNMolino@..._ (mailto:LNMolino@...)

> >

> > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods _amwoods8644@..._

(mailto:amwoods8644@...) >

> wrote:

> >

> >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> >> and the

> >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> >> the back.

> >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> >> enter

> >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> >> something

> >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> >> information will

> >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> >> the name

> >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> >> out of my

> >> own curiosity.

> >>

> >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> >>

> >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> >>

> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

I think there's some potential here).

Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

> Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> hospitals and other care providers to participate

>

> -Chris

>

> Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> keyboard on my iPhone

>

> On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. " lnmolino@...>

> wrote:

>

> > Not off topic at all.

> >

> > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> you

> > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> >

> > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> data

> > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > balance is not always an easy thing.

> >

> > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > Please excuse any typos.

> > (Cell)

> > LNMolino@...

> >

> > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods amwoods8644@...>

> wrote:

> >

> >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> >> and the

> >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> >> the back.

> >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> >> enter

> >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> >> something

> >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> >> information will

> >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> >> the name

> >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> >> out of my

> >> own curiosity.

> >>

> >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> >>

> >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

I think there's some potential here).

Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

> Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> hospitals and other care providers to participate

>

> -Chris

>

> Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> keyboard on my iPhone

>

> On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. " lnmolino@...>

> wrote:

>

> > Not off topic at all.

> >

> > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> you

> > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> >

> > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> data

> > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > balance is not always an easy thing.

> >

> > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > Please excuse any typos.

> > (Cell)

> > LNMolino@...

> >

> > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods amwoods8644@...>

> wrote:

> >

> >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> >> and the

> >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> >> the back.

> >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> >> enter

> >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> >> something

> >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> >> information will

> >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> >> the name

> >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> >> out of my

> >> own curiosity.

> >>

> >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> >>

> >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

Lou,

I can not agree more!!! Most folks don't even know what the letters

HIPAA stand for... and when you tell them HIPAA does not apply they are

at a loss for words... patient privacy and HIPAA are two separate issues

thought the two do over lap when it comes to insurance....( the " I " on

HIPAA)... if the document does not deal with Insurance it is not a HIPAA

issue, it is a patient privacy issue....and if you read the law there is

specific exemption for Workers Compensation - it does not fall under

HIPAA, however there are patient privacy issues that must be

addressed.... HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act...

for those that do not know what it means... " if you are going to quote

it know it! "

Sorry for the rant...deal with it on a daily basis - folks want to throw

it at ya (HIPAA) and do not even know what the letters stand for, much

less what the Act states.....

Les

NREMT-Paramedic, HM-M, CSST, SAPA, RSO, AHA-TCF

Senior Safety Coordinator / Emergency Response Coordinator

Westlake Chemical

P.O. Box 228

36045 LA 30

Geismar, LA 70734-0228

e-Mail: lpowell@...

Telephone:

Fax:

Cell: 225.439-6552

Captain / Training Officer - 7th District Fire Department -

http://www.apfire.us/ http://www.apfire.us/> e-Mail: FD707@...

%20FD707@...>

Captain / Training Officer - Geismar Fire Department -

http://www.apfire.us/ http://www.apfire.us/>

Industrial Fire World Advisory Board - Industrial Fire World

http://www.fireworld.com/>

Secretary - Geismar Area Mutual Aid Association (GAMA) -

http:www.gamaid.org

Affiliate Advisory Council - Texas: National Association of Emergency

Medical Technicians http://www.naemt.org/>

Board of Directors - Emergency Medical Services Association of Texas

(EMSAT) http://www.texasemsat.org/>

" Next to creating a life, the finest thing a man can do is save one. " -

Abraham Lincoln

________________________________

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of lnmolino@...

Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 21:31

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Off-Topic: Firefighter Rehab Scanner

The problem is HIPAA is so damn mis used, mis understood, mis quoted and

plain just missed it's easy to walk into a minefield.

When this animal raised it's head back about 15 years ago even then

privacy

was an issue. We developed a form gave it to members had them fill out

what they wanted (telling them they could just sign the form and date it

leaving it blank if they wanted to) and place it is heavy weight dark

envelopes,

sealed them, signed them and dated them. That set of envelopes was

carried

in our ambulance with the intent that should it ever be needed the

IC/OIC

would be the one to make sure it got to the hospital with the Member to

be

opened if need be in the ED. We updated those annually or at any

Member's

request. It worked for us a 25 man low volume VFD. Never had an issue.

If a

Member left the whole envelope was shredded.

While I do miss the day to day aspects of operating an agency I do not

miss

the levels of BS that we seem to layer upon ourselves at times.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

In a message dated 6/4/2010 9:17:42 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

amwoods8644@... writes:

I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

I think there's some potential here).

Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

> Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> hospitals and other care providers to participate

>

> -Chris

>

> Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> keyboard on my iPhone

>

> On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. " _lnmolino@...

_

(mailto:lnmolino@... ) >

> wrote:

>

> > Not off topic at all.

> >

> > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> you

> > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> >

> > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> data

> > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > balance is not always an easy thing.

> >

> > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > Please excuse any typos.

> > (Cell)

> > _LNMolino@... _

(mailto:LNMolino@... )

> >

> > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods _amwoods8644@...

_

(mailto:amwoods8644@... ) >

> wrote:

> >

> >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> >> and the

> >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> >> the back.

> >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> >> enter

> >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> >> something

> >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> >> information will

> >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> >> the name

> >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> >> out of my

> >> own curiosity.

> >>

> >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> >>

> >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

Lou,

I can not agree more!!! Most folks don't even know what the letters

HIPAA stand for... and when you tell them HIPAA does not apply they are

at a loss for words... patient privacy and HIPAA are two separate issues

thought the two do over lap when it comes to insurance....( the " I " on

HIPAA)... if the document does not deal with Insurance it is not a HIPAA

issue, it is a patient privacy issue....and if you read the law there is

specific exemption for Workers Compensation - it does not fall under

HIPAA, however there are patient privacy issues that must be

addressed.... HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act...

for those that do not know what it means... " if you are going to quote

it know it! "

Sorry for the rant...deal with it on a daily basis - folks want to throw

it at ya (HIPAA) and do not even know what the letters stand for, much

less what the Act states.....

Les

NREMT-Paramedic, HM-M, CSST, SAPA, RSO, AHA-TCF

Senior Safety Coordinator / Emergency Response Coordinator

Westlake Chemical

P.O. Box 228

36045 LA 30

Geismar, LA 70734-0228

e-Mail: lpowell@...

Telephone:

Fax:

Cell: 225.439-6552

Captain / Training Officer - 7th District Fire Department -

http://www.apfire.us/ http://www.apfire.us/> e-Mail: FD707@...

%20FD707@...>

Captain / Training Officer - Geismar Fire Department -

http://www.apfire.us/ http://www.apfire.us/>

Industrial Fire World Advisory Board - Industrial Fire World

http://www.fireworld.com/>

Secretary - Geismar Area Mutual Aid Association (GAMA) -

http:www.gamaid.org

Affiliate Advisory Council - Texas: National Association of Emergency

Medical Technicians http://www.naemt.org/>

Board of Directors - Emergency Medical Services Association of Texas

(EMSAT) http://www.texasemsat.org/>

" Next to creating a life, the finest thing a man can do is save one. " -

Abraham Lincoln

________________________________

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of lnmolino@...

Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 21:31

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Off-Topic: Firefighter Rehab Scanner

The problem is HIPAA is so damn mis used, mis understood, mis quoted and

plain just missed it's easy to walk into a minefield.

When this animal raised it's head back about 15 years ago even then

privacy

was an issue. We developed a form gave it to members had them fill out

what they wanted (telling them they could just sign the form and date it

leaving it blank if they wanted to) and place it is heavy weight dark

envelopes,

sealed them, signed them and dated them. That set of envelopes was

carried

in our ambulance with the intent that should it ever be needed the

IC/OIC

would be the one to make sure it got to the hospital with the Member to

be

opened if need be in the ED. We updated those annually or at any

Member's

request. It worked for us a 25 man low volume VFD. Never had an issue.

If a

Member left the whole envelope was shredded.

While I do miss the day to day aspects of operating an agency I do not

miss

the levels of BS that we seem to layer upon ourselves at times.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

In a message dated 6/4/2010 9:17:42 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

amwoods8644@... writes:

I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

I think there's some potential here).

Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

> Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> hospitals and other care providers to participate

>

> -Chris

>

> Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> keyboard on my iPhone

>

> On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. " _lnmolino@...

_

(mailto:lnmolino@... ) >

> wrote:

>

> > Not off topic at all.

> >

> > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> you

> > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> >

> > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> data

> > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > balance is not always an easy thing.

> >

> > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > Please excuse any typos.

> > (Cell)

> > _LNMolino@... _

(mailto:LNMolino@... )

> >

> > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods _amwoods8644@...

_

(mailto:amwoods8644@... ) >

> wrote:

> >

> >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> >> and the

> >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> >> the back.

> >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> >> enter

> >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> >> something

> >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> >> information will

> >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> >> the name

> >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> >> out of my

> >> own curiosity.

> >>

> >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> >>

> >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

I apologize for any misuse of the acronym " HIPPA " on my part in previous

email communications.

Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

>

>

> Lou,

>

> I can not agree more!!! Most folks don't even know what the letters

> HIPAA stand for... and when you tell them HIPAA does not apply they are

> at a loss for words... patient privacy and HIPAA are two separate issues

> thought the two do over lap when it comes to insurance....( the " I " on

> HIPAA)... if the document does not deal with Insurance it is not a HIPAA

> issue, it is a patient privacy issue....and if you read the law there is

> specific exemption for Workers Compensation - it does not fall under

> HIPAA, however there are patient privacy issues that must be

> addressed.... HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act...

> for those that do not know what it means... " if you are going to quote

> it know it! "

>

> Sorry for the rant...deal with it on a daily basis - folks want to throw

> it at ya (HIPAA) and do not even know what the letters stand for, much

> less what the Act states.....

>

>

> Les

>

> NREMT-Paramedic, HM-M, CSST, SAPA, RSO, AHA-TCF

>

> Senior Safety Coordinator / Emergency Response Coordinator

>

> Westlake Chemical

>

> P.O. Box 228

>

> 36045 LA 30

>

> Geismar, LA 70734-0228

>

> e-Mail: lpowell@...

>

> Telephone:

>

> Fax:

>

> Cell: 225.439-6552

>

> Captain / Training Officer - 7th District Fire Department -

> http://www.apfire.us/ http://www.apfire.us/> e-Mail:

FD707@...

> %20FD707@... <%2520FD707%40cox.net>>

>

> Captain / Training Officer - Geismar Fire Department -

> http://www.apfire.us/ http://www.apfire.us/>

>

> Industrial Fire World Advisory Board - Industrial Fire World

> http://www.fireworld.com/>

>

> Secretary - Geismar Area Mutual Aid Association (GAMA) -

> http:www.gamaid.org

>

> Affiliate Advisory Council - Texas: National Association of Emergency

> Medical Technicians http://www.naemt.org/>

>

> Board of Directors - Emergency Medical Services Association of Texas

> (EMSAT) http://www.texasemsat.org/>

>

> " Next to creating a life, the finest thing a man can do is save one. " -

> Abraham Lincoln

>

> ________________________________

>

> From: texasems-l [mailto:

> texasems-l ] On

> Behalf Of lnmolino@...

> Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 21:31

>

> To: texasems-l

> Subject: Re: Off-Topic: Firefighter Rehab Scanner

>

> The problem is HIPAA is so damn mis used, mis understood, mis quoted and

>

> plain just missed it's easy to walk into a minefield.

>

> When this animal raised it's head back about 15 years ago even then

> privacy

> was an issue. We developed a form gave it to members had them fill out

> what they wanted (telling them they could just sign the form and date it

>

> leaving it blank if they wanted to) and place it is heavy weight dark

> envelopes,

> sealed them, signed them and dated them. That set of envelopes was

> carried

> in our ambulance with the intent that should it ever be needed the

> IC/OIC

> would be the one to make sure it got to the hospital with the Member to

> be

> opened if need be in the ED. We updated those annually or at any

> Member's

> request. It worked for us a 25 man low volume VFD. Never had an issue.

> If a

> Member left the whole envelope was shredded.

>

> While I do miss the day to day aspects of operating an agency I do not

> miss

> the levels of BS that we seem to layer upon ourselves at times.

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

> Consultant

>

> LNMolino@...

>

>

>

> (Cell Phone)

>

> " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

>

> " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

> discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

>

> In a message dated 6/4/2010 9:17:42 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

> amwoods8644@...

amwoods8644%40gmail.com > writes:

>

> I apologize for the length of time between replies; I'm sure we can

> all understand being busy. Thank you for all your help. The HIPAA

> implications have been fluttering around in my mind, and I'm not sure

> exactly how I would deal with that were it ever to be an issue (and I

> have been told it most likely never will be, but I like this idea and

> I think there's some potential here).

>

> Alyssa Woods, NREMT-B

>

>

>

> > Our I'd badges simply have the persons name encoded in the barcode

> > and chances are your do too as there wouldn't be much point in

> > having a barcode unless it contained information like Lou said link

> > that name to a file in a secure database and that would be a start

> > the barcode would only be coded information that a computer could

> > read the software would be what makes sense of it all barcode could

> > be useful for many applications (keycard entry, accountability,

> > etc.) provided you had something that could read it. Another thing

> > that can be built into an Id for similar uses would be RFID which

> > could be read through an over there air radio. The long and short of

> > it is YES a barcode on an id can be encoded with just about anything

> > you want to encode in it but you would have to have a program that

> > could read it and make it useful and that might be tough getting

> > hospitals and other care providers to participate

> >

> > -Chris

> >

> > Sorry for the spelling and punctuation this was typed on tge tiny

> > keyboard on my iPhone

> >

> > On May 29, 2010, at 11:44, " Louis N. Molino, Sr. "

_lnmolino@...<_lnmolino%40aol.com>

> _

> (mailto:lnmolino@...

>

> ) >

> > wrote:

> >

> > > Not off topic at all.

> > >

> > > The issue here is software that controls who sees or has access to a

> > > persons medical record. I've seen plenty of aysytems where there are

> > > levels of access to data and that is fairly straight forward. How

> > you

> > > diivide that access is a bit of a more tricky situation.

> > >

> > > You must by federal law protect the medical data in such systems and

> > > yet in an emergency medical or trauma you must have access tothat

> > data

> > > if it might affect treatment and outcome. The key is balance and

> > > balance is not always an easy thing.

> > >

> > > Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

> > > FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

> > > Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

> > > Please excuse any typos.

> > > (Cell)

> > > _LNMolino@... <_LNMolino%40aol.com> _

> (mailto:LNMolino@...

>

> )

> > >

> > > On May 28, 2010, at 23:22, Alyssa Woods

_amwoods8644@...<_amwoods8644%40gmail.com>

> _

> (mailto:amwoods8644@...

amwoods8644%40gmail.com > ) >

> > wrote:

> > >

> > >> I know this is a little off-topic, however, I work in Bexar County,

> > >> and the

> > >> majority of VFD ID badges are STRAC badges. They have a barcode on

> > >> the back.

> > >> I have heard tell that there is a device out there wherein you can

> > >> enter

> > >> medical information for a firefighter, then if you're on scene and

> > >> something

> > >> happens, you can scan the bar code on their badge and the

> > >> information will

> > >> pop up on this portable device. Does anyone know specifically what

> > >> the name

> > >> of that device is, or know of anything similar? I'm asking simply

> > >> out of my

> > >> own curiosity.

> > >>

> > >> Thank you for your time and assistance.

> > >>

> > >> Alyssa Woods, FF/NREMT-B

> > >>

> > >>