Privacy & Security Challenges

As health IT developments offer improved patient outcomes, reduced spending, improved efficiency, tailored treatment and so much more, the associated patient data holds more promise than ever before. The privacy and security of that data, however, faces growing threats beyond increased calls for its use.

The FDA this summer issued a safety communication warning medical device manufacturers and healthcare facilities to take steps to guard against cyberattacks amid growing concern over malware and unauthorized access to medical devices. And, consumers increasingly are at risk of medical identity theft and could face serious medical and financial consequences, according to a recent Ponemon Institute survey. Medical identity theft is affecting 1.84 million Americans this year which is a 19 percent increase over last year.

Clinical Innovation + Technology hosted a lively roundtable discussion on healthcare privacy and security for this month’s cover story. The discussion covered a range of topics, including patient rights, meeting the regulations of the Omnibus Rule, HIPAA audits and mobile health. The participants didn’t always agree on specifics but they did all agree there is room for improvement. Read more.

Also this month, Laura Pedulli looks at the new specialty certification in medical informatics. This marks a significant tipping point for the field and several of those planning to take the exam share their thoughts on how this board certification might impact the future health IT workforce. Learn more.

I spoke to several physician leaders about the challenges of physician engagement in the EHR. While strategies that work for some organizations won’t work for others, you’ll find some valuable ideas to increase the optimization of your system. See the complete article.

Janice L. Pringle, PhD, associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, teaches a course on implementing healthcare innovation and shares some of her insights and experience. See her article.

If you are looking for a live educational experience, I hope you will join us at the Healthcare Leadership Forum: Evidence at the Center of Care in Chicago, November 14-15. With keynotes from Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger, III and John D. Halamka, MD, MS, the meeting offers opportunities for valuable insight from the industry’s thought-leaders, networking and the latest best practices.

We’ll see you here next month with a look at advances in patient engagement, the lastest in ICD-10, lessons learned from go-live experiences and much more.