Patient records can contain information that is both life-saving and life-threatening. Physicians consult over the Internet; orders are sent via e-mail; data are accessible and stored in any number of ways. For the most part, the health care industry is chock-full of data security challenges.
The high level of interest in computerized patient record systems means that more people have access to the patient record, opening the door to new liability issues. Simply stated, organizations are at greater risk of violating a patient’s legal right to privacy.
Due to increased attention to quality, cost, utilization, and increased access as a result of automation, the list of people who potentially have access to the electronic patient chart could easily exceed 50 in any given 24-hour period. This list includes not only direct caregivers, but also case managers, utilization review and quality management staff, allied health professionals, financial managers, medical records personnel, billing specialists, payer representatives, and federal and state government agencies.
Computerized medical records can improve the costs and outcomes of health care delivery by providing improved efficiency and access to data. The advent of new and expanded information technology in health care has created both concern and liberation for health care organizations. Topping the list of these concerns are security, confidentiality, accessibility, and integrity of information. As discussed in the December issue, negative publicity about the Internet has created increased public concern about the security and confidentially of information. While rushing to implement new systems and address year 2000 issues, health care organizations must ensure that the confidentiality and security of patient data are not jeopardized.
Source: BNET
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