Week 4 Discussion

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Health Science

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Week 4 Discussion The Administrative Simplification Compliance Act of 2001 requires that all Medicare claims be submitted electronically. Discuss at least two (2) vulnerabilities in protecting electronic health information? Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are technological innovations developed to store, manage, and share patients' health-related information between providers, other healthcare facilities, and insurance companies. Both electronic records contain a vast amount of confidential patient data, including personal identification, medical conditions, past medical history, treatments and prescriptions, and other relevant details. EHRs are expected to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery to patients; however, despite the potential advantages, they are prone to cybersecurity threats that may impact patient information confidentiality and privacy (Basil et al., 2022) . Breaches in cybersecurity can result in the unauthorized access, theft, or manipulation of sensitive patient data, leading to privacy violations, identity theft, and compromised patient safety. An example of a cyberattack is phishing, where attackers impersonate a trusted source by sending emails containing links that will allow them to steal the receiver's data (Abdelhamid, 2020). With cyberattacks increasing and becoming difficult to detect, each personnel should be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding patient data. Continuous mandatory training and education of all staff and medical personnel are critical to enhanced understanding of cybersecurity attacks and the protection of patient- secured data (Priestman et al., 2019) . Another weakness is the possible insider threat in healthcare facilities. Abuse or negligence of electronic health information by authorized persons may occur deliberately and unwillingly. A report shows that 73% of providers exchanged patient health

2 information using their mobile phones, which do not share the same security features as desktops used in a facility network (Basil et al., 2022) . Mobile phones and unencrypted laptops containing protected patient health information that are misplaced or stolen can result in security breaches, which could have significant financial and organizational harm. To ensure the safety and privacy of health records databases, healthcare entities employ physical, technical, and administrative approaches (Basil et al., 2022) . These physical measures can involve the locking of areas where databases are located and installing surveillance systems to monitor their physical environments. Technical measures can include things like firewalls, encryption, and other cybersecurity policies that protect against various external threats such as hacking or malware. Some of the administrative measures may be training programs on data privacy policies, periodic security audits, and access controls to control people who have access to confidential information. Integrating these approaches has ensured that security and privacy are maintained for health records databases, thereby protecting the confidential information stored therein. Identify and discuss specific resources or federal agencies that you will utilize to remain informed and current in public health trends and practices. Federal agencies are vital in disseminating crucial information regarding current health trends and practices to the public . Their nationwide reach ensures consistent, standardized communication, fostering credibility and trust among diverse populations. Federal agencies raise awareness, promote preventive measures, and encourage healthy behaviors through public education initiatives, outreach programs, and robust surveillance systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the

3 National Institutes of Health (NIH) are two federal entities that I will consistently use to remain informed on current public health trends and practices. The CDC is the agency leading in disseminating domestic and global public health information (Carande-Kulis et al., 2022) . Its role in health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency is critical in guiding the nation's health and wellness. The CDC website offers reports, guidelines, data on diseases, environmental health, information on various health topics, outbreaks, disease prevention, and public health initiatives. NIH, on the other hand, is the primary agency for conducting and supporting medical research. It is the largest public funder of biomedical and behavioral research in the world that has a significant impact on improving public health, revolutionizing science, and serving society through its support of research (National Institutes of Health [NIH], n.d.) . The public and the healthcare system have benefited from NIH's leadership in health improvement by learning new techniques for identifying, treating, and preventing disease. Through NIH’s cultivation of world- class scientists and the stimulation of new scientific topics, instruments, and resources, it aids in the transformation of science. Utilizing public resources such as federal agencies and organizations can help people, especially healthcare providers, to stay informed on public health trends, research findings, best practices, and policy development, leading to informed decision-making and effective public health interventions. References Abdelhamid, M. (2020). The role of health concerns in phishing susceptibility: Survey design study. Journal of Medical Internet Research . https://doi.org/10.2196/18394

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4 Basil, N. N., Ambe, S., Ekhator, C., & Fonkem, E. (2022). Health records database and inherent security concerns: A review of the literature. Cureus . https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30168 Carande-Kulis, V., Elder, R. W., & Koffman, D. (2022). Standards required for the development of cdc evidence-based guidelines. MMWR Supplements . https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7101a1 National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Impact of nih research . https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what- we-do/impact-nih-research Priestman, W., Anstis, T., Sebire, I. G., Sridharan, S., & Sebire, N. J. (2019). Phishing in healthcare organisations: Threats, mitigation and approaches. BMJ Health & Care Informatics . https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2019-100031

Week 4 Discussion

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