Protecting Individual's Health Information From Various Threats

Electronic health records were a technological advancement in the healthcare industry in which paper patient record’s became digital. The transition from paper to digital charting allowed easier, quicker access to patient information for those who were authorized to do so. EHRs are secure and protected with username and password access only. It contains information such as patient medical history, procedures, diagnoses, medications, labs, tests, and treatments. Healthcare professionals and organizations who are authorized to access a patient’s electronic health record can do so at ease via a secure network or online database (HealthIT, 2013).

Data privacy is vital to healthcare organizations and the health information they store. Johns (YEAR) defines data security as “a collection of protection measures and practices that safeguard data, computers, and associated resources from undesired occurrences and exposures” (p. 207). To protect their information, organizations must develop a data security program to meet the needs of Health Information Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), stakeholders, and the business’s needs. Additionally following the guidelines set by HIPAA is key to being in compliance with the law. These programs differ depending on the organizations that are required to establish them, however, they all follow the same steps in creating and implementing this program

The introduction of electronic health records has revolutionized healthcare as we know it today. Instead of using paper records, which can easily get lost, damaged, or even stolen. However, now that most healthcare providers have switched to the electronic health records, it is easier to manage the data, edit the data, and share the data to other healthcare providers. The problem is that as many benefits there are to the electronic records, there are just as many threats and problems that they can pose.

Health care is a hot topic in today’s society- everything from reforming the industry so that people are not denied health coverage to finding ways that patients’ medical records can be accessed electronically for more convenience. Moreover, epidemics such as HIV/AIDS spotlights the issues surrounding public health agencies use of maintenance and storage of electronic health records (EHR). Myers, Frieden, Bherwani, and Henning (2008) state that although there are security breaches when personal health information is stored in electronic form, the data can be better secured than paper records because authentication, authorization, auditing, and accountability

According to a recent survey of physicians, an estimate of 83% own at least one mobile device and one in four doctors use smartphones and computers in their medical practice (Barrett, 2011). There is a great concern that protected health information (PHI) may be compromised by the use of mobile devices under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The HIPAA law is in effect to secure patient medical records are kept confidential and safe. The increase of patients and health care practitioners communicating not only with the patient and other medical professionals using mobile devices raises security issues of protected health information (PHI). The HIPAA Security Rule requires reasonable safeguards to protect

Dr. (Editor, Health Informatics Journal, Edinburgh, United Kingdom). Medical informatics has emerged as a diverse and important new field of study. The field deals broadly in the science of addressing how best to use information to improve health care. However, protecting public health requires the acquisition, use, and storage of extensive health-related information about individuals in a secured and reliable manner. Though the electronic accumulation and exchange of personal data has an important public health benefits, but have accompanies threatens individual privacy. The breach of privacy can lead to individual discrimination in employment, insurance, and government programs and as such, individuals concerned about privacy invasions may avoid clinical or public health tests, treatments, or research. The variation in state laws supports the need to build consensus on the appropriate use and disclosure of public health information among public health practitioners. Hence, a need for a consistent and congruential protection plan and security as the federal and state privacy protections do not adequately protect public health data, and are inconsistent and

The healthcare industry is composed of a multitude of moving parts, and information technology is becoming more and more prevalent. However, as healthcare data and information become increasingly digitized, they become less tangible. No longer will providers be able to solely rely on putting physical documents inside a secure locker and behind a locked door. Digitized information will be stored on servers, accessed by a variety of devices, and transmitted by means of wired and wireless communications. So, what does it take to secure sensitive information, such as patient health records, as it traverses digital environments? How can we ensure that patients and healthcare providers readily have access to information, without that information being susceptible to unauthorized disclosure, damage, deletion, or even theft? There are numerous components of information security that answer these and many other important questions; however, information security is a vast field that is comprised of many moving parts such as risk management, legislature, standardization, training and awareness, assurance and auditing, and others. Consequently, information security has become a tremendous challenge for healthcare providers, and it has become increasingly

Health information technology privacy and security standards are essential to maintaining interoperability and security in the exchange of health information. Standards provide a common language between different systems that need to share information (Himss.org, 2016). These standards are relevant to healthcare providers to gain access to health records from another facility as to streamline patient care. A more effective and efficient way for a provider to obtain information is to have a provider log- into a device to see results. In gaining access to health information, it is critical to maintaining security. With easy access to information come concerns for securing that information. Security standards provide protection over electronic protected health information.

Privacy concerns in healthcare apply to both paper and electronic records. Today records can be exchanged over the Internet and they are subject to the same security concerns as any other type of data transaction over the Internet. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) were passed in the US in 1996 to establish rules for access, authentications, storage and auditing, and transmittal of electronic medical records. This standard made restrictions for electronic records more stringent than those for paper records. However, there are concerns as to the adequacy of implementation of this standard. As the ever-changing healthcare industry evolves, one key topic within the electronic health record (EHR) is privacy. The Federal government has set guidelines that all healthcare organizations will have to comply with in regards to electronic health transactions. Most supporters believe that the EHR will improve care and reduced costs, while transforming the health care system, but whether the privacy of the

The medical field is moving to another level when it comes to technology, with the implementation of Electronic Health Records, also known by the acronym, EHR. The new system that allows medical records to be maintained electronically, by the internet is making waves. The government has even put incentive programs into place, as extra encouragement to providers. The adaptation to Electronic Health Records has been anything but smooth, as many medical practices have been reluctant and some just afraid to try something new. Concerns will continue to arise until the medical world has an understanding of the privacy and security rules that follow the new technology. Electronic Health Records has and will continue to prove itself as an asset, a convenience, efficient, helpful, and more, as some will continue to shy away from the change. Electronic Health Records will prove that it is “meaningful”, falling under the category of “meaningful use.”

There are many similarities and differences within the health care system, specifically when it comes to Electronic Health Records (EHR) and its privacy. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “an Electronic Health Record is an electronic version of a patient 's medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that person 's care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports” (CMS, 2016). In this paper, we will be comparing and contrasting some of the main similarities and differences found between Video 5 and Video 7. Some of the similarities that will be discussed are the definition of privacy in regards to Electronic Health Records, methods that would enable more effective privacy for EHRs, the CSA’s 10 privacy principles of PIPEDA, and the responsibility of the health professionals in maintaining the privacy of personal information.

With the advancement of the internet many areas of personal information are at risk of theft, even up to losing ones’ personal identity. The case study history is as follows: A laptop belonging to Kaiser Permanente was stolen from an employee’s car. This computer contained 38,000 Kaiser Permanente membership names, identification numbers, dates of birth, gender, and physician information (Laptop with patient info stolen, Rocky Mountain News, November 29, 2006). This loss and many other personal information injuries inform all healthcare agencies of the significance of implementing safeguards/regulatory guidelines to protect patient information. According to Smith (2000) “Threats to medical record privacy include: (a) administrative actions such as errors that release, misclassify, lose information or compromise accuracy; (b) misuse by users; and (c) uncontrolled access to the medical record. Heath care computerization is an increased threat to medical record privacy through enabling the storage of large amounts of data in small places. Therefore, when an intruder gains access, it is not just for a discrete amount of data but rather larger collections of information” will be at their fingertips (n.p.). There are several recommendations that can be enforced to increase the use of technology to protect confidential healthcare information, such as changes Kaiser Permanente completed, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO), the HITECH Act,

In the United States, the healthcare system is advancing to an electronic health record (EHR). Documentation of health information on paper is becoming a thing of the past, as the move for electronic charting is encouraged. This transition from paper charting has been recognized as a necessary transition to improve communication, access and accuracy of medical records (Hebda & Czar, 2013). Development and implementation of the EHR continues to cultivate within the USA and is moving toward a more widespread adaption of the concept. In order for EHR to progress there is still much to do to make it more functional. Security and privacy remain a large issue that still needs tweaking amongst several other concerns. While myself and other healthcare workers continue to integrate aspects of EHR into care, we are learning new challenges that it brings and benefits as well.

In a world full of electronics it would only seem logical to have health records electronic. Not only are medical records efficient, reliable, and quick to access, new technology allow patients to access their own personal medical records with a simple to use login and password. “People are asking whether any kind of electronic records can be made safe. If one is looking for a 100% privacy guarantee, the answer is no”(Thede, 2010). At my hospital, upon every admission we ask the patient for a password for friends and family to have to have if they would like an update on the patient 's condition. We do not let visitors come up and see the patient without the patient 's consent. In doing these things, we help to ensure the safety and protection of the patient 's health information and privacy.

Patient’s privacy and Information security has important role in Healthcare organizations. Health information is private and it should be protected by the Federal Law HIPAA. In recent years, Healthcare providers moving the patients’ health records on computers from paper. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) with patient’s information is considered as very sensitive in Healthcare organization. The sensitive information of patients in healthcare has to be managed such that it is safe and secure from unauthorized access. In this paper I have discussed the concepts of information security and patients’ privacy, the HIPAA security standards, security threats and privacy issues in healthcare.