In today's fast-paced world, healthcare is constantly evolving. As technology continues to advance, issues such as healthcare compliance and cybersecurity have become critical concerns. It is essential for medical practices to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and guidelines to ensure the safety of their patients.
These are three straightforward resources that can aid medical practices in guaranteeing the compliance and efficiency of their technology:
Health IT
The official government website for Health Information Technology offers many resources related to Electronic Health Records (EHRs). They strongly advocate for using EHRs instead of paper records to protect patient security. Their home page offers search tabs curated for specific users, such as “Patients & Families” and “Providers & Professionals.” The Health IT Security Risk Assessment Tool is a downloadable application created to assess cybersecurity. There are also paper-based versions of the same tool available for download, formatted as lists of questions to thoroughly address every aspect of security.
The US Department of Health and Human Services
The US Department of Health and Human Services is an excellent resource for current and pertinent healthcare information. The search bar function at the top of the page makes it easy to find answers to pressing questions. The Laws & Regulations section offers detailed information on topics such as the Affordable Care Act and the HITECH (Health Information Technology) Act. An inside look at current proposals and changes is also provided by the semi-annual Regulatory Agenda from the HHS Department.
Stay Safe Online
Medical identity theft is becoming increasingly prevalent, making cybersecurity more important than ever. Failure to protect patient medical records and health insurance details can result in hackers accessing the information to obtain prescriptions, make doctor visits, or file insurance claims. Stay Safe Online offers numerous blog posts and external resources to safeguard medical computer system and their Stop Think Connect Campaign website provides quick tips for maintaining a clean and safe internet presence.
