Medical practices must keep track of every detail when it comes to their patients, and information in the system is constantly changing. Patient privacy is important, and you must also ensure you’re adhering to local and federal laws. You also store data other than patient information online. Learning how to protect data in the healthcare industry is essential to protecting both your practice your patients.
It Begins With Education
As technology advances and new ideas for protecting data come into play, educating your medical practice’s entire staff is essential. Require continued education and training for staff members each year so that they fully understand how to protect data in the healthcare industry.
Restrict and Monitor Access
Within your own medical healthcare practice, strictly monitor access to data. Not everyone needs access, so limit it as much as possible. This helps with data security and protects the staff. If an employee doesn’t need access, they’d rather not have the responsibility of it. Use tracking programs to monitor who’s using what information and when.
Consider a Security Management System
For the greatest security and protection of data, consider a security management system. Security management that understands the important needs of the healthcare industry saves medical practices time and money. Consistency, data backups, an understanding of regulations, and loss prevention make security management the best all-in-one resource for data protection.
Encrypt Patient Data
Data encryption changes text into cyphertext, protecting it from those who do not need to read it. Use encryption to keep your patients’ information private and safe.
Secure All Mobile Devices
We live in a mobile world, and the healthcare industry has data that is easy to access from anywhere at any time. Follow these steps to make sure mobile devices are secure:
- Encrypt data
- Install firewalls
- Allow remote disabling
- Use passwords
- Don’t use file-sharing applications
- Update software
- Delete all information before disposing of a phone
Put these techniques and practices into action in your healthcare center for secure and protected data, employees, and patients.
