Here are three types of safeguards, and examples of each, that healthcare providers can use to protect against data breaches, according to the authors of the article:
Physical
• Confidential patient care — Private examination and consultation rooms, attention to eavesdropping risks
• Document storage — Secure-access filing for medical records and bills, controlled prescription pads
• Document disposal and destruction — Shredding
Electronic
• User authentication — Passwords, automatic logouts and biometric information
• Systems protections — Firewalls, anti-virus programming and active audit trails
• Safe hardware disposal — Erasing hard drives from rented photocopiers and proper disposal of used computers
Human capital
• Careful hiring practices — Careful vetting of potential hires, including the use of background checks
• Training and education — Education about individually identifiable information, appropriate information sharing and protocols for screening information seekers
• Termination and separation protocols — Timely deactivation of electronic and physical access
More Articles on Data Breaches:
Laptop Theft at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Causes Potential Data Breach
Second Data Breach at Utah Health Department May Affect 6k Patients
11 Data Security Tips From Industry Experts
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