1

Would you put a functional Alexa device in a medical setting? A Dr. asked me if they could use that device on their network. I’m like, yes but I wouldn’t. All the doc wants to do is listen to music. Lots of other ways to do that without having an always on voice controlled device hanging around. Particularly if it records what you say and may pass that on to it’s momma servers.

The main concern I have is that this device would be in a clinic around Dr.s, patients and could overhear the discussions about the treatment.

Isn’t there some sort of PHI rule or recommendation that would advice against this. Just seems wrong to me.

79 Spice ups
2

It seems like it would violate HIPPA?

81 Spice ups
3

HIPAA is a huge concern; especially if this has access to the smallest amount of patient information, even scheduling. For music I would look at Sirius or even a simple iPOD player.

26 Spice ups
4

Yes it does. It is not supposed to do anything until it hears Alexa. However that implies that it is always listening. Recording also? Who knows, did not design the software. Did not read the agreement, which is subject to change at any time for any reason.

25 Spice ups
5

Isn’t everything spoken into one of these devices indexed somewhere in the cloud?

9 Spice ups
6

What kind of music goes well with a colonoscopy?

109 Spice ups
7

No, I wouldn’t do that. I can’t imagine there wouldn’t be some kind of HIPAA or other violation with using an always on listening device.

4 Spice ups
8

Alexa, how do we diagnose…

57 Spice ups
9

Smell that Funk by Buddy Guy

59 Spice ups
10

HIPAA, plus every kid in the world would be going "Alexa “rder me a dolls house” as soon as they saw it :wink:

If the want music then a bluetooth speaker or check an ‘old fashioned’ radio

Of course either way you may need an ASCAP licence to be listening to music in a public place…

https://www.ascap.com/music-users

15 Spice ups
11

“When you’re climbing up a ladder and you hear something splatter, DIARRHEA DIARRHEA.”

“When you’re hiding in the bush and you hear something squish, DIARRHEA DIARRHEA.”

20 Spice ups
12

Do you guys have a legal team? If so, I’d have them read the terms of use and Amazon’s privacy statement before this is even considered.

11 Spice ups
13

Ever heard the boogie in the butt?

13 Spice ups
14

Under no circumstances would I put an alexa anywhere near a hospital, a house, a car, anywhere I can talk.

21 Spice ups
15

Even if it is ‘safe’ to put in that setting, I know a lot of people that wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to their doctor if they saw that sitting in the corner

7 Spice ups
16

Simply - NO. You do not put ANY device in your environment connected to the “outside” where you can not POTENTIALLY control any and all transfer of information, PHI or otherwise. I am more than certain that Amazonoggle or any other company supporting will sign a BAA, let alone a PT agree to the potential transfer of PHI.

Same reasoning that “most” dictation since 2006 has not been on Olympus recorders that may or may not fall from an MD’s pocket.

3 Spice ups
17

As others have already said IT needs to based solutions on what the user actually needs not what he or she wants. Regardless of privacy issues you are just asking for all kinds of trouble.

4 Spice ups
18

Yes, I actually have. When Dr. Demento was on the radio, and everyone still knew what Brim brand coffee was.

8 Spice ups
19

What about using the “Tap” variant that requires you to push a button to activate the mic? They shouldn’t do any kind of recording / listening at all (no wake words) until that button is pressed (and held?)

3 Spice ups
20

You can put one of these devices in a medical setting if you can get Amazon Web Services to sign a Business Associate Agreement stipulating that any and all information gathered on the device will be kept in accordance with HIPAA regulations. Anyone in a HIPAA regulated environment who is using cloud services should already be familiar with the Business Associate Agreement. Here is a page from Amazon covering this:

–Doug

14 Spice ups