Taking a photo with a camera phone is the new quick note in your handy little memo book you keep on your person at all times. When my son was in the hospital, the staff constantly took a photo of the whiteboard where his daily orders were written, or a photo of his medication bottle, photos of everything -- it's quick, it's accurate, and you have an automatic time and date stamp, as well as location, often.
I know that seems like a good idea, staff taking photos of medical notes, prescription bottles etc with their cameras, but it breaks a great many privacy laws. Do you want your son's medical records leaving the hospital with the staff? They are not allowed to take a paper file home with them, why is it okay for them to take a very easy to duplicate and share digital record?
If I saw anyone taking a photograph of my medical records, you can be sure I will be raising the issue with the highest authorities.
There is a reason for doctor patient confidentiality. There is a reason medical records need a court order for release, proof has to be shown to a judge that it is necessary. If Nurse Jim has my medical records on his phone, they are no longer private.