Security Of Health Care Records: Please Address And Answer T

Security Of Health Care Recordsplease Addressanswer These Questions A

Security of Health Care Records PLEASE ADDRESS/ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AS THE CONTENT OF MY ASSIGNMENT: 1. An analysis of the nurse’s responsibility to protect patient information and the extent that HIT has made it easier or more difficult to protect patient privacy. 2. Comment on any security or ethical issues related to the use of portable devices to store information. 3. Assess the strategies your organization uses to safeguard patient information and how these promote a culture of safety. 4. Describe an area where improvement is needed and one strategy that could address the situation. Kindly follow APA format for the citation and references! References should be between the period of 2010 and 2016. Background information of this assignment: With the increase of health information technology used to store and access patient information, the likelihood of security breaches has also risen. In fact, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ): In the United States, there was a whopping 97% increase in the number of health records breached from 2010 to 2011… The number of patient records accessed in each breach has also increased substantially, from 26,968 (in 2010) to 49,394 (in 2011). Since August 2009, when the US government regulated that any breach affecting more than 500 patients be publicly disclosed, a total of 385 breaches, involving more than 19 million records, have been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. A large portion of those breaches, 39%, occurred because of a lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised portable electronic device—a problem that will likely only get worse as iPads, smartphones, and other gadgets become more common in hospitals. (CMAJ, 2012, p. E215). Consider your own experiences. Does your organization use portable electronic devices? What safeguards are in place to ensure the security of data and patient information? For this Discussion you consider ethical and security issues surrounding the protection of digital health information. To prepare: · Review the Learning Resources dealing with the security of digital health care information. Reflect on your own organization or one with which you are familiar, and think about how health information stored electronically is protected. · Consider the nurse’s responsibility to ensure the protection of patient information. What strategies can you use? · Reflect on ethical issues that are likely to arise with the increased access to newer, smaller, and more powerful technology tools. · Consider strategies that can be implemented to ensure that the use of HIT contributes to an overall culture of safety. Required Resources Note: To access this week's required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Readings · McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2012). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning. o Chapter 5, “Ethical Applications of Informatics”—This chapter examines the ethical dilemmas that arise in nursing informatics. The authors explore the responsibilities for the ethical use of health information technology. o · Brown, B. (2009a). Improving the privacy and security of personal health records. Journal of Health Care Compliance , 11 (2), 39–40, 68. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. The author of this article examines the use of the document titled “Nationwide Privacy and Security Framework for Electronic Exchange of Individually Identified Health Information.” The article describes how the framework aims to construct an approach to address the privacy and security challenges that come with health information exchanges and personal health records. · Dimitropoulos, L., Patel, V., Scheffler, S. A., & Posnack, S. (2011). Public attitudes toward health information exchange: Perceived benefits and concerns. American Journal of Managed Care , 17, SP111–SP116. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. This article describes a study that sought to determine the attitude of consumers toward electronic health information exchanges (HIE), HIE privacy and security concerns, and the relationship between these concerns and the perceived benefits of HIE. The authors recommend solutions to some of the privacy challenges stimulated by HIE. · Goodman, K. W. (2010). Ethics, information technology, and public health: New challenges for the clinician-patient relationship. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , 38 (1), 58–63. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. This article focuses on the challenges generated by the increased level of adoption of health information technology tools. The author emphasizes the ethical issues raised by electronic public health surveillance and the secondary use of health data. · Hoffman, S., & Podgurski, A. (2011). Meaningful use and certification of health information technology: What about safety? Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , 39 (3), 425–436. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. This article stresses the necessity of sufficient safeguards for EHR systems. The author explores current safety regulations for EHR system design and deployment. The author makes additional recommendations for protecting public health in the digital area. · Rothstein, M. A. (2010). The Hippocratic bargain and health information technology. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , 38 (1), 7–13. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. The increasing availability of sensitive patient information granted by electronic health records has generated significant debate about patient privacy. This article examines the potential ethical and legal consequences of patient-directed sequestering of sensitive health information. Optional Resources · Brown, B. (2009b). Privacy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Journal of Health Care Compliance , 11 (3), 37–38, 72–73. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Paper For Above instruction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, the implementation of health information technology (HIT) has revolutionized the delivery and management of patient care. However, this technological advancement comes with significant responsibilities, especially regarding safeguarding patient information. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, play a crucial role in protecting patient data, but the increasing integration of HIT also introduces complex security challenges. This paper explores the nurse's responsibilities, the impact of HIT, security issues with portable devices, organizational strategies for data protection, and areas for improvement to foster a culture of safety.

Nurse’s Responsibility in Protecting Patient Information

Nurses bear an ethical and professional obligation to maintain patient confidentiality, rooted in the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and respect for autonomy (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) underscores this responsibility, mandating nurses to ensure that protected health information (PHI) remains confidential and secure. In practice, nurses must adhere to strict protocols when accessing, transmitting, and storing patient data. This includes verifying patient identities, practicing secure login procedures, and being vigilant about unauthorized access. Moreover, with the proliferation of electronic health records (EHRs), nurses are increasingly responsible for detecting and reporting security breaches or anomalies that could jeopardize patient privacy (Hoffman & Podgurski, 2011). The advent of HIT has simplified some aspects of data management but has also made it easier for breaches to occur if safeguards are not properly implemented. The digital environment demands ongoing education for nurses to stay updated on best practices for data security and privacy.

Security and Ethical Issues with Portable Devices

Portable electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, have become indispensable tools in modern healthcare settings due to their convenience and mobility. However, their use raises significant security concerns. These devices are susceptible to theft or loss, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient information. For example, in many healthcare environments, portable devices lack robust encryption or password protection, making it easier for malicious actors to exploit them (Brown, 2009a). Ethically, utilizing such devices without adequate security measures infringes on patient rights to privacy and confidentiality, potentially leading to legal ramifications for healthcare organizations. The ethical dilemma revolves around balancing the benefits of portability and immediacy in patient care with the imperative to protect data integrity and confidentiality. Healthcare providers must implement encryption, remote wipe capabilities, and secure authentication protocols to mitigate these risks, and organizations should enforce policies restricting the use of unsecure devices (Rothstein, 2010).

Organizational Strategies for Safeguarding Patient Information

Healthcare organizations employ various strategies to secure patient data, aiming to create a culture of safety and accountability. These include technical safeguards like firewalls, encryption, access controls, and audit trails, which monitor and limit who can view or modify patient information (Dimitropoulos et al., 2011). Policies requiring strong password management, regular security training, and incident response planning further reinforce data security. Organizations often adopt frameworks such as the Nationwide Privacy and Security Framework to standardize practices across different systems and settings (Brown, 2009a). Additionally, fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes transparency, continuous education, and accountability encourages staff to adhere strictly to security protocols. Regular audits and compliance checks help identify vulnerabilities before they result in breaches. Such strategies collectively promote a safety-first approach, emphasizing accountability and vigilance among all staff members.

Areas for Improvement and Strategies for Enhancement

Despite comprehensive safeguards, there remains room for improvement, particularly concerning the increasing reliance on portable devices. One identified area needing enhancement is the consistent implementation of encryption on all portable devices used within healthcare settings. Although many organizations recognize the importance of encryption, inconsistencies persist, and some devices are still vulnerable to unauthorized access. A strategic approach to address this issue involves mandating automatic encryption settings on all portable devices accessing or storing PHI and instituting routine audits to verify compliance. Additionally, comprehensive training programs emphasizing the importance of security and proper device handling can reduce human error and inadvertent breaches (Goodman, 2010). Implementing a centralized device management system could further ensure that security protocols are maintained uniformly across all platforms. These improvements would help mitigate risks associated with portable device use, ultimately fostering a safer healthcare environment.

Conclusion

The security of healthcare records is a shared responsibility that requires a concerted effort by individual nurses and healthcare organizations. Nurses must remain vigilant and adhere to best practices to safeguard patient information, especially as HIT systems grow more complex. Ethical considerations, particularly concerning portable devices, demand strict security protocols to protect patient rights. Healthcare organizations play a vital role by implementing robust technical safeguards and cultivating a culture of safety and accountability. Continuous assessment and targeted improvements—such as consistent encryption protocols and staff training—are essential for reducing security breaches and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data. As technology continues to evolve, ongoing vigilance and adaptation will be paramount to uphold the ethical and legal standards governing patient privacy in the digital age.

References

• Brown, B. (2009a). Improving the privacy and security of personal health records. Journal of Health Care Compliance, 11(2), 39–40, 68.
• Dimitropoulos, L., Patel, V., Scheffler, S. A., & Posnack, S. (2011). Public attitudes toward health information exchange: Perceived benefits and concerns. American Journal of Managed Care, 17(SP111–SP116).
• Goodman, K. W. (2010). Ethics, information technology, and public health: New challenges for the clinician-patient relationship. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38(1), 58–63.
• Hoffman, S., & Podgurski, A. (2011). Meaningful use and certification of health information technology: What about safety? Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 39(3), 425–436.
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2012). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
• Rothstein, M. A. (2010). The Hippocratic bargain and health information technology. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38(1), 7–13.