Electronic Health Information Security

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that computer technology evolved from large mainframe computers, programmed with punch cards and
occupying entire rooms, to desktop computers, portable laptops etc.. Processing power has increased exponentially, and microchip technology now enables watches and toys, to surpass the computing power of the computers that NASA used for the Apollo program. This rate of progress will continue, with processing power increasing steadily, reaching the limit of microchip technology. The paper highlights the threats to computer networks and elaborates on them. It also comments that in spite of all this progress in technology, persons employed in the industry are sometimes not aware of the consequences of failing to safeguard the information in a manner commensurate with its value and the risks associated with its unauthorized disclosure.

Outline:
External Threats to Electronic Healthcare Information
Internal Threats to Electronic Healthcare Information
Physical Loss of Electronic Healthcare Information
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In 1995, the World Wide Web launched the modern era of electronic
communications, and with it, the need to secure sensitive data to multiple forms of theft and unauthorized access. Shortly thereafter, with health insurance fraud, identity theft, and white-collar crimes against business organizations like mortgage fraud at the top of
the list of growing crimes by the last decade of the 20th century, federal legislation went to effect in 1996 in the form of the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA) that, as part of its comprehensive administration of employment health insurance benefits, also tightened measures to maintain the privacy of patient information throughout the healthcare system. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• GAO (2007) Health Information Technology; Report to Congressional Requests GAO-07-238. Accessed September 19, 2007, at: http://www.usa.gov/veteransinfo.shtml
• Kaku, M. (1997) Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century.Doubleday: New York
• U.S. Department of Justice FBI Press Release 9/17/04. Accessed September 19, 2007, at:http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel04/contaction091704.htm Rosencrance, L. (2006) Laptop with Data on 28,000 Home Care Patients Stolen in Detroit; Computerworld. Accessed, September 19, 2007, at:http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9002685&source=NLT_MW&nlid=43
• Smith, R. (2006) Laptop Hall Of Shame; Forbes Magazine On-line. Accessed September 19, 2007, at:http://www.forbes.com/2006/09/06/laptops-hall-of-shame-cx_res_0907laptops_print.html

More papers on Electronic Health Information Security:

• Analytical Essay # 113618 : "Personal Electronic Health Record"
• Term Paper # 108152 : "The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act"
• Research Paper # 92453 : "Accounting Information System"

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