Patients' Privacy & Data Threat In Digital Era

With healthcare service providers leveraging various digital tools, connected devices, and automated processes to bolster patient care, data privacy and security have emerged as major threat nowadays. As large amount of data is exchanged at various levels especially in form of EHR, and other clinical information, personal data of patients remain at stake which needs to be preserved from prying eyes of cyber attackers. Mukul Kumar Mishra of Elets news Network (ENN) explores various facets of data security, associated challenges and possible way out.

- Mukul Kumar Mishra

In the last few decades the whole narrative of delivery of healthcare services has witnessed huge transformation due to sea change in requirements of people who don’t want only quality and affordable care nowadays but want to play an active part in patient care mechanism. Cutting-edge technology, mobile applications, and various automated processes have not only led to personal touch to care but also bridged the multifarious gaps between providers and seekers. While the technology has proved game changer in facilitating things, it also poses risk at times if not used in prudent manner. Precautionary measures are must to not let it become fatal for patients.

This holds true for deluge of healthcare data which is vulnerable enough to be compromised easily in absence of proper security compliance.

DATA BREACHES, PRIVACY AND SECURITY AMONG BIG CHALLENGES

With the healthcare industry making giant leap towards digitalization, there is tons of patient data being generated by hospital chains, labs, and private clinics & practioners.

“Digital Health or Electronic Health Records (EHR) maintains the data of patient’s name, age, contact information, vital Signs, investigation reports, present & past history, allergies, and present & past treatment details. It’s challenging task for IT to prevent all the personal and critical information of every individual,” says Chandrasekar Reddy, CIO, Jupiter Hospital

In the wake of various automated applications undertaken by service providers to ease of processes and bring more transparency in delivery of care, the data breaches, privacy and security are major issues baffling Industry people.