Avoiding Breach of Patients Medical Information - Term Paper Example

Communicating issues regarding breach of information effectively will ensure plans of action are put into place for mitigation purposes. This also involves offering training to employees so that they can acquaint themselves with issues and consequences of breach of confidentiality regarding patients’ personal and medical information (Roach, 2006). Secondly, breaches of patients’ medical information can be avoided by encrypting all records, files, and documents about patients’ information.

Information stored on the hospital’s database should be kept in form of an encrypted file such that unauthorized individuals are not able to access private information (Roach, 2006). In addition, hospitals can establish plans of action that mandates only certain appointed individuals to handle patients’ records, files, and any other documents associated with the patients. The management and other individuals in management positions can be involved in conducting regular research aimed at identifying current methods of breach of information.

Due to the ever-advancing and complicated technology, hackers are always coming up with new ways of accessing other people’s information illegally. Comprehending these novel methods will enable the management to prepare for any eventualities. Singer & Viens (2008) asserts that a breach of a patient’s medical information can also be avoided by ensuring that medical practitioners do not store medical information on their personal computers and other electronic gadgets and is not relayed to the patient in a manner that elevates the risk of the information falling into wrong hands.

Some of these solutions have already been implemented in healthcare organizations. According to McWay (2013), “Participating on social media platforms is among the more recent activities engaged in by health care providers. As a threshold issue, providers should weigh the benefits and costs of communicating with the patients through social media and proceed only if the benefits outweigh the costs” (36). These solutions have been working in many health organizations. Communication ensures employees acquire skills and knowledge that guide them in their daily activities.

In doing so, they can avoid instances where information regarding patients’ health records falls to third parties. This kind of solution ensures that all employees are involved. In comparison, the use of encryptions only involves a few individuals with the authority to access patients’ health records. Therefore, avoiding a breach of patients’ information in an environment where all files and documents are encrypted is the task of a few individuals whereas it is a collective obligation in an environment where the breach is avoided through effective communication and training of employees.

Some institutions have established or created security programs that recognize and give a warning when patients’ health records are accessed by unauthorized individuals. This allows individuals in charge of security to devise ways to evade instances where information is accessed by third parties through illegal and immoral techniques (Reckless, Reynolds, and Newman, 2012). Therefore, I believe a good plan can be devised to address the problem.