Breach Blockers: Protect Patient Privacy in the Electronic Age-Breach blockers

Breach blockers

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The document by Mark Harris, published in "CMA Today" in May-June 2016, addresses the increasing concerns of data breaches in the healthcare industry. The proliferation of digital technology in healthcare—such as Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, mobile devices, and web-based resources—has enhanced medical practice efficiency but has also led to new responsibilities and risks concerning patient privacy and data security.<br /><br />One significant risk is medical identity theft, which involves sensitive information like names, birth dates, policy numbers, and diagnosis codes. Unlike credit card theft, medical identity theft can take years to uncover. Data breaches majorly stem from lost or stolen mobile devices rather than cyberattacks by external hackers.<br /><br />Healthcare providers are under pressure to keep up with evolving privacy and security challenges. Despite regulatory frameworks like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its updates, healthcare ranks low among industries in security practices. HIPAA has established standards for the use of Protected Health Information (PHI) and introduced significant penalties for violations under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.<br /><br />Effective risk management involves regular assessments, updating policies, and maintaining secure data practices. There is a necessity for thorough reviews of office protocols and ensuring secure handling of EHRs, both internally and through external vendors. Using advanced technology solutions like cloud computing and remote data wiping can mitigate risks. However, many practices lag in implementing these due to financial constraints or lack of awareness.<br /><br />Promoting a culture of vigilance and adherence to privacy protocols in day-to-day operations is critical. Staff, especially medical assistants, must understand and routinely practice patient confidentiality. Healthcare management should ensure continuous staff education and consider integrating best practices into their workflow to uphold patient privacy and data security.

Keywords

data breaches

healthcare industry

Electronic Health Records

medical identity theft

patient privacy

data security

HIPAA

risk management

cloud computing

staff education