This policy supports lower class people, the disabled, and elderly populations as well as the rest of the public in that lifesaving procedures must be provided despite the patients ability to pay.
Figure 1 was built to serve members of the medical community. It was developed to share unique medical conditions and discuss diseases amongst doctors, nurses, and students.
This system would be difficult to work with because it publicises patient's conditions even if it does not directly identify who they are. Some of the diseases or conditions these patients are faced with can be considered humiliating and while the intent of the app is to be educational, a healthcare professionals are faced with the ethical decision as to whether or not post the picture of their patient. A guideline Figure 1 outlines is that before taking and posting a picture the provider should have consent from the patient. Hospitals, clinics, agency, ect. are also faced with whether to allow their members to engage in these activities as patient confidentiality could be called into question.
In regards to pulic health, this policy provides equality in emergency/ life saving procedures despite economic barriers the patient may face.
Users can access the site from a computer or there is an app available for smart phones.
This policy was part of the Consolitated Omnibus Reconciliation Act. Prior to this legislation, specifically Medicare and uninsured patients were being refused lifesaving procedures because of their inabiliy to pay for the services. Patient dumpin became an issue, in which a patient is transferred from a private to a public hospital, and essentially over working public hospitals for minimum wages.
Verified members can post pictures of patient's, tests, equipment, or images as long as there is not patient identifying information. All members of figure one are encouraged to comment and discuss the condition or test in the picture.
This policy applies to anyone residing in the United States who require medical screening examinations as outlined in the act or treatment for an emergency medical condition.
The Figure 1 website does not specify how the development of the system was funded.
This policy was drafted by Congress as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act and passed in 1986 to address Medicare related issues.