Internal and External Threats - Essay Example

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL THREATS INSTITUTE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL THREATS With the advancement in technology and the invention of computers, the working and functioning of organizations and industries has widely changed. The impact has been more towards the positive side with improved efficiency and increased output. One sector in the United States where the information technology and computers still need progress and lags in attaining the benefits of these inventions is the health division. The health sector is now attaining progress in the field of information technology and many health organizations have started implementing programs to improve efficacy and provide better health care to the patients.

The health information technology has been implemented in major health organizations in the country. Cedar Sinai which is one of the major health providers in the country did not have a very successful outcome from the implementation of this program. Health information technology has its benefits but it is a subject of concern for the health care executives. The healthcare executive should be concerned with the potential threats that may exist within the health organization. The proper implementation of the health care program is a task that needs to be undertaken with utmost care.

It requires proper supervision and implementation of the program in a health organization effectively so that it is brought into use and improves the working of the hospital rather than delaying the normal work of the physicians. This is because it is believed by some physicians that clinical records on the computer can serve to take longer hours than otherwise. Errors in handling the information technological systems can result in blunders with regard to patient health care and hence the health executive needs to be aware of such threats as well.

Hence, extensive training and investment is very important with regards to the implementation of such programs. External threats also need to be considered with regard to this implementation. Electronic Health Record is an essential component of the maintenance of the records of the patient electronically. There are differing ways which can be used to keep these records which include buying the software for the organization’s computers or another option is ASP which uses a different server which holds the electronic health record of the patient and the software is present on that server.

ASP is a more widely used option and it needs to be understood by the healthcare executive that information via this method is shared on a remote server which may be viewed by external sources when the software on the server gets updated. Private information and record of the patient which is provided to the hospitals can be infiltrated and misused. Also errors made during the storage of the electronic health record might prove to be a threat to the organization as the information is no longer only possessed by it but is also available to external sources.

Hence the integration of internal threats which include the lack of proper understanding of staff regarding information technology and external threats which include the usage of external servers for storing the information have a relationship with each other. To avoid untoward incidents and mishaps, it is essential that these threats should be understood and dealt with effectively. Legal issues and a stronger stand of the law with regard to securing the information of the patient have made it important that the security and privacy of essential health information should be protected and the healthcare executives should be aware of these threats and their effects on the health organization.

REFERENCESTop of FormHoyt, R. E., Sutton, M., & Yoshihashi, A. (2009).Medical informatics: Practical guide for the healthcare professional. Pensacola, Fla: University of West Florida, School of Allied Health and Life Sciences, Medical Informatics Program.Bottom of Form