washingtonpost.com: A Personal Record

washingtonpost.com: A Personal RecordWhile most consumers can retrieve cash from a bank account anywhere in the world, research virtually any topic instantly and buy books, sell unwanted stuff and take university courses online, the medical system is a laggard in information technology. Only 10 to 15 percent of U.S. hospitals and doctors can access patient records electronically -- and often they contain data from only a single provider or hospital.