Cyber security is becoming a huge problem for many different businesses. We all remember the security breaches that occurred at so many popular retail stores such as Target, Michael’s, and Neiman Marcus. Those breaches in security have resulted in panic and mistrust of the electronic records system.
Many have mistrusted the use of computers from the beginning. We all know people who refuse to use credit cards, only write checks, would never use online banking and never consider paying bills on line.
Unfortunately there will always be individuals who are willing to take advantage of people by stealing. Reports indicate that those credit card numbers from the U.S. sold in underground markets for as little as one or two dollars a piece before the Target security breach.
As with anything else in this technological world, we in the medical community must also be aware of security and enact practices that protect the sensitive information of our patients. The medical community has been mandated to embrace electronic medical records (EMR). We have been informed if we have not adopted EMR’s in our practices, Medicare will deduct money from our fees. There are those who are not adopting EMR’s but most will.
The initial thought of being able to access anyone’s medical record, no matter if they were in their home town or visiting in another state, was indeed attractive. For this to happen, all of the computers must be able to communicate with each other. That has not happened as of yet. There are many different brands of EMR’s on different platforms and they do not talk to each other.
The FBI is watching security carefully and recently issued two warnings during the month of April. In one of its warnings, the FBI stated, “The healthcare industry is not as resilient to cyber intrusions compared to the financial and retail sectors, therefore the possibility of increased cyber intrusions is likely.” They requested that the healthcare organizations be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Because the deadline to become EMR fluent is January 2015, it is expected that many will be newly joining the internet. Many are afraid this will provide a rich milieu that will expose cyber threats and possibly cyber theft of information. Unlike credit card numbers that are worth a dollar or two each, this information is worth twenty dollars per case. Why are these thieves so willing to pay more? The medical information can be used to access bank accounts, or obtain narcotic prescriptions which are then sold.
I hope that the breaches in the retail market have primed those in the FBI medical market to be more diligent and vigilant.
Veita Bland is a board certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Tune into Dr. Bland’s radio health program, It’s a Matter of Your Health: The 30 Minute Health Magazine, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on WNAA, 90.1FM. To contact Dr. Bland with suggestions for future articles, email: ideas@blandclinicpa.com. or follow on Twitter @Drvbland
