Securing patient information is a legal necessity and an ethical responsibility for medical professionals. Here, you’ll learn how to improve the security of patient information in your practice.
Implement Robust Access Controls
One of the first steps in securing patient information is to make sure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data. You can achieve this by implementing robust access controls—measures that include strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and user-based access limitations. These layers of security make it harder for unauthorized users to gain access while ensuring that those with a legitimate need can do their jobs efficiently.
Encrypt Sensitive Data
Encrypting sensitive data is a powerful way to keep patient records safe from unauthorized access, both when stored on your practice’s servers and when transmitted over a network. Deploy two main encryption methods: at-rest encryption, which protects data stored on a device, and in-transit encryption, which secures the data during transmission. By adopting whole-disk encryption and secure communication protocols, you’ll minimize the risk of your patient data falling into the wrong hands.
Install Point-of-Care Workstations
An often-overlooked aspect of patient information security is physical access to devices that store and interact with sensitive data. By installing point-of-care workstations in your practice, you can ensure patient data resides in devices in secure areas, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, you can outfit point-of-care workstations with privacy screens and other features that help maintain patient confidentiality in a shared environment. Plus, enhanced security is just one of the benefits of point-of-care workstations, so your practice can’t lose by installing them.
Conduct Thorough Employee Training
Last but not least, the healthcare professionals and administrative staff in your practice play a vital role in patient information security. Thorough and regular employee training is essential to ensure every team member is well-versed in the security measures in place. This covers everything from the correct use of strong passwords to the importance of reporting any potential breaches or suspicious activity. By nurturing a culture of vigilance and information security awareness, you’ll create a strong human line of defense against data breaches and other security incidents.
Knowing how to improve the security of patient information is an essential aspect of running a responsible and ethical healthcare practice. By implementing strong access controls, encrypting sensitive data, installing point-of-care workstations, and investing in thorough employee training, you’ll significantly mitigate the risks associated with handling confidential patient information.
