Over the next five years one in thirteen healthcare patients will be affected by healthcare data breaches. What are the root causes leading to the increase in healthcare data breaches?
Mearian, L. (2016, June 30). Hackers are coming for your healthcare records -- here’s why. Retrieved July 01, 2016, from CIO: http://www.cio.com/article/3090530/healthcare/hackers-are-coming-for-your-healthcare-records-heres-why.html This article is yet another on numerous articles which discussed the increase in breaches within healthcare organization. This article focused on the underlining reason which has led to the increase in healthcare data breaches. This article tied the increase in data breach to four different causes which are the digitalization of
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The author also said that due to all of the aforementioned and lucrative it is for hackers to attack health care organizations, one in thirteen health care patients will be impacted by healthcare data breaches. I felt that the author had a clear pint throughout this article which was not only to continue the spotlight data breaches which continue to increase within the healthcare field, but also to understand the root cause which is driving the increase in these healthcare data breaches . This was demonstrated throughout the article with a continued focus on health care data breaches and the changes which have been made within healthcare organization to rely more on technology for medical information storage and sharing which the author would relate to how this lead to the each root cause of the increase in data breaches. For the same reason mentioned previously the author was able to successful meet his original purpose for writing the article through his focus on demonstrating the root causes of the data breaches within healthcare organizations and how they will increase over the next five years. The author backed up his arguments by using proven evidence and
Phiprivacy.net. (n.d.). Incidents Involving Patient or Health-Related Data [Pdf file of privacy breach articles for 2008]. Retrieved from http://www.phiprivacy.net/MedicalPrivacy/Chronology_2008.pdf
Versel, N. (2013, November). Taking a close look at electronic health records. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/hospital-of-tomorrow/articles/2013/11/05/taking-a-close-look-at-electronic-health-records
During the 1980’s, medical-related situations continuously occurred that made patients question their insurance policies as well as the privacy of their health care. Congress worked to create a bill containing strict rules regarding insurance policies and availability for one to keep their insurance if they are to move jobs. These rules were soon applied to all medical facilities and faculty and titled the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act”.The H.I.P.A.A. policies brought about change in professionalism, medical standards, taxing, and enforcement. Throughout history, maintaining patient privacy has always been a problem in the medical field. Patients have the right to their privacy and the information that they do not want to disclose should be kept privately. Since this was an overly occurring problem, the congress believed that they should make a law to fix this problem. On August 21, 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed by congress and President Bill Clinton.
With today's use of electronic medical records software, information discussed in confidence with your doctor(s) will be recorded into electronic data files. The obvious concern is the potential for your records to be seen by hundreds of strangers who work in health care, the insurance industry, and a host of businesses associated with medical organizations. Fortunately, this catastrophic scenario will likely be avoided. Congress addressed growing public concern about privacy and security of personal health data, and in 1996 passed “The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act” (HIPAA). HIPAA sets the national standard for electronic transfers of health data.
Robertson, L. (2008). Who’s looking at your medical records? [Electronic version] Saturday Evening Post, 280.3, 54-92, Consumer Health Complete.
October 2013. The violation was not revealed until November 1st, when the hospital had done a
HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was put in place by the Federal Government for several reasons; better portability of health insurance for employees, to prevent fraud and abuse within the healthcare delivery system, and simplification of administrative functions associated with healthcare delivery (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). Due to sensitive healthcare information being shared federal regulations were also put into place, resulting in the “Privacy Rule” and “Security Rule”. The Privacy Rule limits the use and disclosure of patient information. The Security Rule protects the patients’ healthcare information from improper use or disclosure, to maintain information integrity, and ensure its availability (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). Both regulations apply to protected health information (PHI) which is any form of health information that can be used to identify an individual patient. Practitioners who refer to HIPPA are not referring to the act itself but the “Privacy Rule” and “Security Rule” (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). It is extremely important to understand these concepts as a student in the clinical setting and how each hospital enforces these concepts. Before starting at any clinical site there is an extensive orientation about HIPPA regarding what is appropriate and not appropriate when it comes to patient information and the repercussions of violating HIPPA. In this paper I will discuss Akron General’s rules and policies regarding their EHR, PHI, EPHI, and social media.
Security problems generally involve a leak of information because of the type of technology being used in clinical and online practice, such as computers, mobile devices (e.g., cell phones or tablets), email, voicemail, fax machines, electronic records on large servers, and the Internet when administering psychological services online. Regrettably, protection of confidentiality has yet to catch up with the majority of these technological advancements. Some of the primary threats to the security of confidentially information originates from things like web or email viruses, online hackers looking to access information, flaws in software or firewalls, damage or malfunction to the technology itself, and user error (Regueiro et al.,
In the modern era, the use of computer technology is very important. Back in the day people only used handwriting on the pieces of paper to save all documents, either in general documents or medical records. Now this medical field is using a computer to kept all medical records or other personnel info. Patient's records may be maintained on databases, so that quick searches can be made. But, even if the computer is very important, the facility must remain always in control all the information they store in a computer. This is because to avoid individuals who do not have a right to the patient's information.
With more health care records and information being stored electronically, there is more access to personal information that can be stolen and used for fraud purposes. In order to get a handle on this issue private citizens need to be further educated on what health care fraud is and how to prevent as well as report it. Health care professional are on the front lines of health care fraud and need to become proactive in being able to spot and report suspicious activity. With these actions taking place there can be a reduction in the amount of health care related fraud every
Doctors, hospitals and other care providers dispute that they should have access to the medical records and other health information of any patient citing that they need this information to provide the best possible treatment for proper planning. Insurers on the other hand claim they must have personal health information in order to properly process claims and pay for the care. They also insist that this will provide protection against fraud. Government authorities make the same arguments saying that in providing taxpayer-funded coverage to its citizens, it has the right to know what it is paying for and to protect against fraud and abuse. Researchers both medical and none nonmedical have the same argument saying that they need access to these information so as to improve the quality of care, conduct studies that will make healthcare more effective and produce new products and therapies (Easthope 2005).
The next problem related to telemedicine relates to security and private breaches. In order for telemedicine to work properly it requires that sensitive patient information be transferred from location to location that may be quite a dista...
The healthcare industry consists of a broad expanse of careers, all requiring a strong use of ethics. As technology advances and businesses struggle to stay atop technological forefront, they must also increase the security of patient files. Medical offices have upgraded, for the most part, from paper charting to electronical. While growth and change is inevitable, the safety of patient confidentiality is top priority. Within this paper, the necessity and application of ethics in healthcare will be studied.
According to the report provided by the consultant, the employees at this facility were not taking precautions in safeguarding the patient’s health information. Therefore, the employees at this facility were in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). It is important for employees to understand the form of technology being used and the precautions they must take to safeguard patient information.
In healthcare there have many developments in record keeping and updating databases to be electronic however this has caused many conflicts to the system. It has brought issues such as privacy and confidentiality because the information is easier assessable to professionals within the NHS which causes benefit and dangers if the information is not protected. In essence it causes people to take legal action when their right has been breached with the UK law. This includes the Common Law of Confidentiality, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998.