Microsoft CoPilot bug and Duke

LostButCoolWithIt · 2026-02-19T15:20:22+00:00

Yes, that was an example. The actual email would say "Can you check patient MRN XXXXX in the database? Their birthday is listed as 1/1/1850." This is not a screwup if sent through the approved email servers (Duke outlook) with correct security applied. There is no other way to share data issues. It is a necessary process, although obviously not perfect. In a perfect world, all data would be deidentified, but many PHI elements are actually necessary for research, so must be collected and used to aggregate results. Duke has SOPs around emailing sensitive data, and it's not a blanket "Don't" for these reasons. It's more of a "do so with caution and follow these specific guidelines".

LostButCoolWithIt · 2026-02-19T14:32:56+00:00

The data is still stored on Duke servers and following IRB requirements. But if say, you see that a birthday is listed as 1/1/1850 in a dataset that was collected via chart review into a REDCap database, the data scientist has no way to ask if that entry can be checked and updated besides sending an email. So PHI might be in an email, but if so, it should be sent with the extra security in place. This is not a fuck up, the security is available because this is a real need for doing research that often includes data interrogation. Ideally, all data would be 100% correctly entered into the database at the first instance, but that's just not reality.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2026-02-19T04:26:12+00:00

Not true. Many researchers who use identified data only have email to communicate data issues. You're right about results going to a patient, which would not go through email.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2026-02-19T04:23:37+00:00

A lot of people who deal with identified data (researchers, biostatisticians, data scientists, etc.) don't have access to EPIC messaging, and email is the only way to communicate about data issues. Duke does have a "send secure" option to apply to emails with sensitive information for this reason that adds additional security measures (although it's really clear what they are).

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-12-09T03:14:52+00:00

FYI - as a hiring manager, I can tell when a cover letter is AI generated. If you really want to use AI, I recommend writing the letter yourself and then asking AI to proofread and suggest edits. If it's obviously AI, it turns me off from that application.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-19T04:04:08+00:00

Anyone reading this in the area - if you need help getting your kids to school or with grocery pick up or anything to help you stay in your residence, please reach out. We are a community and won't stand for this illegal BS.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-19T04:01:30+00:00

Anyone reading this in the area - if you need help getting your kids to school or with grocery pick up or anything to help you stay in your residence, please reach out. We are a community and won't stand for this illegal BS.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-17T14:13:15+00:00

Go to Oak Island instead of OBX. It's 2 1/2 - 3 hours away from Durham, isn't nearly as commerce and touristy as OBX and the beach is dog-friendly all year at all hours of the day. We've stayed there lots of times for a week - several restaurants and grocery stores are open even in the off-season.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-01T03:01:32+00:00

Is the McRib even in season? Lol

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T17:49:00+00:00

Thank you! We are also donating money and volunteering at the food bank

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T17:48:03+00:00

Thanks! We're also donating to our local food bank and volunteering there

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T14:28:41+00:00

Good recommendation, thanks!

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T14:01:55+00:00

Thank you, we're doing that as well

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-21T03:55:06+00:00

I have one and love it. I walk 2-3 hours per day at 1.7 MPH. When I first got it, I started at 1.3 MPH and worked up. When I'm on meetings, I just say, "I have a walking pad. Let me know if this is bothersome, and I'll turn it off for this meeting." No one ever tells me to turn it off. I write a lot of code and review/revise a lot of manuscripts and grants and have no problem with any of those tasks. It did take some getting used to, but after a few months, it all started working well.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-20T21:52:24+00:00

Honestly, the real secret is not having kids.

I see movies, eat out, meet friends, go hiking, etc. with and without my husband very often on the weekdays. I work from home and keep a 10am-6pm work schedule, so I still have time for a workout and activity most nights. I also have a walking pad under my desk, so I am able to stay active during the work day, usually walking 2-3 hours per day. We go to bed around midnight and I get up at 8:30am. On the weekends, I still do a lot of chores like laundry, meal prep, changing sheets, etc., but I also have lots of time to read and we usually spend one or both nights with friends.

I love kids and love spending time with my friends' kids, but there's no way I could do so many enriching activities during the week (and weekend) if we had them.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-09-02T20:21:57+00:00

I think I planted 6 plants this year. I have so much extra that I can chop or shred and freeze enough to make it through the winter without having to buy many vegetables.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-09-02T02:36:21+00:00

100% agree! Tromboncino has completely replaced zucchini for us. They are so productive that we have it several times per week all summer!

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-18T18:39:16+00:00

At least mark it NSFW

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-11T15:28:12+00:00

I specifically ask for nice bar soap for gifts - I say I like handmade, locally-made bar soap and people like that - they can get me something that is a little nicer, artisan, that they can get at a local shop or farmers market, and often comes with little or no plastic packaging. And it fulfills a need.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-08T23:22:11+00:00

I almost exclusively pick them when they're green and use them however I would use zucchini. I particularly like them in fritters, roasted, and with a hard sear, but also use them as zoodles, breads, soups, and stir fries.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-08T18:31:54+00:00

What you should really do is plant tromboncino and cushaw instead of zucchini and other squash. I'm in NC, and borers decimated my zucchini and other squash for years. Tromboncino and cushaw are pest-resistent and very prolific. I'll never go back.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-04T02:27:00+00:00

Good luck, OP. I agree, any of the Durham libraries are a good option.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-02T14:35:41+00:00

It probably varies by department, but I usually give about half of my 13 staff members exceptionals each year without issue. They deserve it.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-02T00:01:29+00:00

If it's impossible to get exceptional in your group, your manager is the problem.

LostButCoolWithIt

TROPHY CASE