Question

Cause Studies

The medical office where you work has just begun converting to a computer system. the doctors are concerned about the confidentiality of the files. what will you recommend?

Answer 1

            To maintain the accurate information of the medical records, all heath care facilities had driven the development of computerized patient record. The computerized patient record has the ability to store the vast amount of patient information. This will helps to access the patient data fastly which will helps to improve the patient care also. Although this methods have more benefits, maintain confidentiality of the patient records are very important while handling the records through the computerized patient record.

The computerized patient record can maintain the confidentiality by following the below steps:

· Development of thorough policies and confidentiality agreements

        Developing the confidentiality policies will helps the entire medical team to know what is expected of them in every eventuality. The confidentiality agreement includes the details of what all documents and information that should not share to the outside. Each staff member should read the policies and will sign the agreement.

· Provide Regular training

        Providing the regular training sessions for the entire medical team includes Doctors, Nurses, Administrative officers and other staff members will help to refresh the policies regarding the maintenance of patient record confidentiality, staff duties and expectations.

· Confirm all healthcare information are stored on secure systems

         Most of the health care clinics have started the computerized patient record system to keep the patient data’s for the easily accessible and for the storing of huge data’s also. But the challenge facing on this is the correctly storing of the information. For storing the information correctly, highest level of security and digital protection including the purchase of platforms or using cloud providers will help to ensure the data safely.

· Restriction of Mobile phones

          Mobile phones should restrict from the patient areas which will helps to limit the leakage of information. Taking the photographs or recording of the patient records by anyone will adversely affect the confidentiality of the patient records.

Other methods to prevent the confidentiality of patient record by:

· Avoiding the phishing emails

· Strong password should use

· Change the passwords every 90 days

· Updating of the software

By following the above techniques the entire medical team can maintain the confidentiality of the computerized patient records .