Are Advances in Electronic Technology Eroding the Privacy of Health Information?
_{June 19, 2018}

Can advances in technology improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system? Of course!

Are advances in electronic technology eroding the privacy of health information? Unfortunately, it could, yes. However, with the proper steps taken, an entity can ensure the security of their patients’ data.

Health care workers have a professional, ethical, and legal duty to protect patient information. How records are stored and transmitted using IT exposes them to greater risk.

However, the technology may also provide more protection for managing and reducing that risk, if proper steps are taken.

Electronic patient data poses different risks than the traditional paper-based medical record data. Of course, paper-based records run the risk of loss, damage, and non-accessibility.  Electronic records, on the other hand, are generally less at risk from accidental loss, damage or wear and tear. There are new and different threats to electronic data such as accidental damage, unauthorized access, and malicious intent.  The technology itself can help to protect the patients’ information if used correctly.

How?  Congress enacted HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191, which included Laws to help protect and secure patient records.  The entire idea was that just because technology increases risk, the patient information can still be protected.  The HIPAA laws include Administrative Simplification provisions which caused HHS to adopt national standards for electronic health care transactions and code sets, unique health identifiers, and security.  All of these together help protect patient data!

HIPAA Law implementation calls for a consistent cycle including a risk assessment, a leveraging of physical and security policies and specifications to develop checklists and toolkits to aid medical institutions in implementing the HIPAA Security Rule standards and implementation specifications, while also supporting the safe exchange of health information.

HIPAA Guard can help your organization evaluate, set up this cycle and help provide assistance and resources.

Please visit our website and call us today for your Free Risk assessment and HIPAA evaluation. www.HIPAA-Guard.com