Benefits, risks of digitization

In the wake of numerous health data breaches, a new data brief from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT says consumers are concerned about the privacy and security of their medical records regardless of whether they are paper or electronic.

Not surprising and that concern is certainly warranted. However, the brief says public support for EHRs and information exchange remains strong, suggesting consumers are aware of the benefits despite the risks.

A poll of more than 2,000 people conducted in 2013 revealed that seven in 10 were concerned about the privacy of their medical records, and three out of four were concerned about security. However, less than one in 10 reported withholding information from their doctor because of those concerns.

Three out of four respondents wanted their provider to use an EHR despite any privacy or security concerns and seven in 10 supported their provider's participation in a health information exchange.

Meanwhile, this week the lawsuit facing the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) regarding a data breach was dismissed by an Allegheny County judge.

The class-action lawsuit against UPMC was filed in response to a data breach last year that affected several thousand employees.

The lawsuit claimed the provider left its employees vulnerable to attackers, allowing hackers to steal their private information, but the judge ruled that UPMC also was a victim of the cyberattack and that an improved system for storing confidential information would not have necessarily prevented the breach.

Given all the data breaches occurring, I'm sure many more cases will head to the courts. 

Beth Walsh

Clinical Innovation + Technology editor