An Open Letter to EHR Company "Luminello," Regarding Selling Out to the Man.
In the style of The Pixies classic, "Where is My Mind"
The Frontier Psychiatrists is an indie daily newsletter. I wrote an article a couple of days ago about Luminello, an electronic health record company that was acquired by Simple Practice. I don't use Luminello anymore, but I did. I need the medical records from Luminello to come back to me because, you know, doctor stuff. In summary, I pointed out it is part of a private equity roll-up. I requested my medical records exported, over a week ago.
It's been a bad week for healthcare privacy concerns, and a bad week for health technology exploits, given the change healthcare debacle. I don't need to worry about this as well.
I grew up in the 90s Back then, selling out to the majors wasn't cool. Then technology destroyed the music industry, so it didn't matter anymore. I feel the same way about health selling out private equity. Steve Albini is my favorite recording engineer, he wouldn't put up with his nonsense either. What about artistic vision? One of the things I find particularly off-putting is when private equity roll-up touts “the founders,” as if they still have anything to do with the decision-making for the medical practice…or a clinician-founded technology company. This is like Sony taking credit for Modest Mouse. NO! THEY WERE ON SUB-POP!
Look, I tried to sell out to vampires, too.
I tried to export my charts. I tried to do it a week ago. I clicked export, and still, nothing has happened. And yet today, I got an email pestering me to switch over to the company that bought them, that can't prescribe medicines. Given the change healthcare debacle, I'm not sure anybody can reliably prescribe medicines, but still.
If I don't move fast enough, I lose access to my charts. Nothing I can do if they don't move fast enough to give me my charts. Other than make fun of them, and talk about rock 'n' roll, which is exactly what I'm doing.
It turns out that their website even encourages me to get my data out, and reminds me how important it is to check that it's there. I'm going to remind them the same thing. It's important. Here, it's even step four on your website:
I'd like to confirm all data as present, but your lack of data export is making Kim Deal —so sad. Look at how upset it's making Black Francis?
How big is this problem? It's gigantic. Yes. There are other songs I can parody after this if I'm still upset!
To amuse myself, I'm gonna write my letter to Simple Practice and Luminello in the form of a parody of the song “Where is My Mind” by The Pixies.
Ooh, stop
With your charts is the ether and your data in the cloud
Try this request and consider it, yeah (yeah)
Your valuation will collapse, and there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself
Where are my charts?
Where are my charts?
Where are Owen’s charts?
Way out of compliance, need enforcement
I was requesting my medical records
liability was lurking behind the request
Except for the BAA
Was noted by me, I swear I was trying to warn you in good faith
Where are my charts?
Where are my charts?
Where are Owen’s charts?
Way out of compliance, need enforcement
With your ass on the line and your priorities unsound
Try this request and consider it, yeah
Your stock will collapse, and Regulators will fill your day
And you'll ask yourself
What did you know?
When did you know it?
Where are my charts?
Way out of compliance— could be a class action!
With your ass on the line, and your IT unsound
Try this request and fulfill it, yeah
I know. I saw that creepy doll on the street this morning. I felt very seen.
I just got this email! It is encouraging me to sell my business. All I Gotta say is, that I'm not gonna sell out, the pixies are going on tour again this summer.
Private equity, stop it. Health professionals have a big, big heart.
Music references are on point here. Nice work.
lol come to VA; wind up with different EMR problems!