Medical Records At Risk – Download Exec Brief PDF

Health care organizations, such as hospitals and health systems, have not leveraged information technology as other industries such as banking and finance. More efficient health care can be realized with more innovative application of technology. Too many healthcare organizations continue to deliver services locally and in person, in part, because the technology infrastructure has not evolved as in other industries. By addressing the multitude of privacy and security related compliance regulations continually, organizations will enable a powerful technology infrastructure that can not only be trusted but leveraged to deliver much better care. Today’s infrastructure is just too vulnerable and introduces a serious risk to the health care organization.

In this brief we examine the serious risk to medical records. The rapid increase in electronic medical records, the rise in medical identity theft and the lack of appropriate security controls to restrict access to authorized individuals, are resulting in a serious risk to patient information that organizations are required to secure.

We examine specific examples of breaches that have occurred recently as well as information about key regulations that your organization may need to be compliant with. The risk to medical records is rising and the consequences of not taking reasonable and appropriate steps to protect this information are not insignificant, especially with current enforcement actions and associated penalties.

Medical privacy is a critical component of quality medical care. Patients seeking care at a hospital or a health system today are concerned that their private medical information may be accessed inappropriately. It is for this reason that States such as California have introduced further legislation to assess and enforce fines against health facilities and individuals who inappropriately obtain, use or disclose medical information.

The attention to HIPAA enforcement, penalties associated with FACTA and State regulations will influence the priorities of your organization in addressing the risk to medical records.