The Significance of Healthcare Data Security
The healthcare system works with sensitive patient data, making data security a top priority to keep patient information safe. When patients seek out a healthcare provider to receive care, they expect their data to be safeguarded, and that extends to telehealth services. Data security practices for telehealth technology will look different than a traditional, in-person medical office.
Telehealth services can be delivered through video conferencing, audio calls, and instant messaging on a mobile device. While healthcare services to patients through telehealth applications are convenient for both parties, it also opens up a new world of telehealth security risks that must be considered. Healthcare providers must ensure that all telehealth services are performed in a way that will protect sensitive patient data.
Regulatory Requirements
While it’s in a medical professional’s best interest to prioritize data security to maintain their patient’s trust, they also have a legal requirement to secure patient information.
In the United States, entities in healthcare organizations must be in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. When building their telehealth platforms, healthcare providers must work with the software development company to ensure the software is HIPAA compliant.
In the European Union, healthcare organizations must be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Similar to HIPAA, GDPR was put in place to protect patient information while standardizing data protection laws throughout the EU member states.
Types of Telehealth Security Threats
In order to know where a telehealth platform needs advanced security practices, we first need to take a look at three common telehealth security risks.
Promoting Responsive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence
AI technology is not static; it continues to evolve over time. To uphold ethical principles, AI systems should be regularly updated, audited, and improved.
This ensures that artificial intelligence remains aligned with the latest public health knowledge, emerging ethical issues, and changes in patient needs. A responsive AI system can adapt to new challenges and opportunities while maintaining ethical integrity.
Incorporating these ethical principles into the integration of AI technology in telehealth software is crucial for achieving a balance between technological innovation and patient-centered care. By adhering to these principles, healthcare organizations can harness the benefits of artificial intelligence while upholding the values and ethical principles that underpin the healthcare profession.
As AI technology advances, ongoing collaboration between computer and data scientists, healthcare professionals, regulators, and patients will be essential to ensure that ethical issues remain at the forefront of integrating AI in healthcare.
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As businesses across various industries embrace artificial intelligence to enhance operations and decision-making, they must be proactive in identifying and mitigating potential ethical challenges. Here’s a deeper exploration of strategies to address these considerations:
Hacker Attempts on Patient Data Storage
Telehealth platforms store a significant amount of patient and organizational data that hackers will attempt to steal. Healthcare data breaches will typically result in a data leak that makes patient data public or ransomware attacks that hold patient data hostage until the ransom is paid. It’s critical that patient data is securely stored and turns hackers away from attempting to breach the storage walls.
Unsecured Transmission of User Data
Having strong security measures in place for data storage is the first step to securing patient privacy. Next, healthcare organizations must ensure the devices receiving data are also secure. Having a single device with weak security opens an entire system up for data breaches. All devices in a telehealth system must be in compliance with HIPAA or GDPR regulations.
Devices Operating on Outdated Systems
Incorporating devices with legacy systems into a telehealth system can open it up to vulnerabilities and data breaches. Verify legacy systems have updated antivirus software that will effectively secure patient data. If the devices are not able to be updated to the level necessary, consider retiring them and incorporating new devices that can properly protect patient information.
Effective Measures for Safeguarding Patients’ Data Privacy When Utilizing Telehealth Software
Knowing the common security threats telehealth software faces will only get a healthcare organization so far. Let’s look at some of the best practices healthcare providers should take when building their healthcare platform.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA), also referred to as two-factor authentication, is a security practice that requires a user to go through a second security measure after entering their password. When faced with this second barrier, unauthorized users are less likely to gain access to the telehealth platform and the sensitive data it holds.
A common form of MFA is to enter a code that was sent to the user’s mobile number or email address. Having this second layer of telehealth security will assure patients that their privacy and security are a top priority for their healthcare providers, which will also build the trust patients have in their providers.
Video Call Security Measures
A common form of delivering telehealth services is through a video telehealth appointment. While unauthorized users gaining access to video calls is not a common occurrence, it’s still an aspect telehealth providers must be vigilant about. Video calls are typically where patients are at their most vulnerable, sharing sensitive information about themselves that has a significant impact on their lives if the information is exposed.
Ensuring the patient’s privacy and security during these telehealth visits is essential for the patient to have a positive experience. Some security measures to consider when setting up video appointments are requiring meeting IDs or passwords and enabling a waiting room feature that requires the provider to grant access to attendees.
Establish Organizational Standards
Security practices put in place throughout the telehealth system will lay the groundwork for the overall security of the platform. Regardless of all these security practices, there is always the risk that human error will grant hackers and unauthorized users access to the platform.
Employees typically won’t grant hackers access on purpose. Rather, hackers are using creative methods to trick employees into giving them access to breach the software. This is commonly accomplished through phishing emails, weak password protection policies, and connecting to public Wi-Fi on work devices.
Regularly hold mandatory training sessions for employees to review the security best practices to minimize the risk of breaches. By offering employees the knowledge they need to protect patient and organizational data, they are less likely to be the entry point for unauthorized users with malicious intent.
Ensuring Secure Data Transmission in Telehealth
As mentioned earlier, data transmission is a significant risk to the privacy and security of a telehealth application. When patient data is being transmitted between devices, they must have updated security practices to ensure hackers can’t take advantage of the transmission to access to the platform.
Let’s take a look at some examples of data transmission in telehealth and why it’s crucial it’s done securely.
Remote Patient Monitoring
A common example of data transmission includes remote monitoring, where healthcare professionals can monitor a patient’s health using a connected device. Healthcare professionals can track a patient’s vital signs, activity level, and sleep patterns from home, making this a convenient option for both parties. Making sure the patient’s device is properly secured to ensure hackers can’t gain access is essential to the patient’s privacy.
Transferring Medical Records
One example of telehealth technology that is widely used among providers and organizations is electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHR). Having patient records stored and managed electronically makes it easier for medical practices to review patient histories and make well-informed decisions.
EHRs also make it easier for patients to see new providers when they can easily request their medical history be shared with a new healthcare provider or organization. However, this transfer does come with the risk of an unsecured transmission. Before accepting medical records from an unknown organization, ensure their software is properly protected.
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)
Another example of data transmission between providers is Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM). DICOM is a way for medical professionals to transfer medical images between devices, making image management a streamlined process.
Being able to receive a patient’s medical images through a telehealth application speeds up the decision-making process and makes it easier for professionals to collaborate on potential diagnoses. However, medical images are sensitive information, and all communication that includes medical images must be secure to ensure privacy.
Partner With Geneca Today
When looking for a software development company to partner with to build your telemedicine application, it’s important to find one that puts privacy and security as the top priority. Here at Geneca, we have a team of experts who are well-versed in HIPAA regulations and ready to work together to build your telehealth app. If your healthcare organization is ready to take the next step, contact us today for a commitment-free consultation!