Healthcare interoperability is a core goal among many organizations. But the end result is often blurred or unachievable due to healthcare IT security concerns.
The push for interoperability isn’t just an internal one. As technology potential continues to increase, so do the expectations of patients, providers, insurance companies, vendors, and all other entities that have some involvement in your organization.
Finding a healthcare IT security solution to accommodate the shift to interoperability isn’t easy, but it is non-negotiable. Neither IT nor interoperability can exist without the other, and the two must work together to achieve organizational goals and expectations.
The Biggest Data Security Risks with Interoperability
When approaching the subject of interoperability, privacy concerns are usually at the top of the list for IT professionals. Successful interoperability largely depends on the ability to share health data, but any form of data transmission could leave you vulnerable to mishandling or attacks.
As more providers and users gain access to health information, there must be additional protocols concerning how and when data is accessed and used. There’s a growing chance for data to become compromised as it becomes more accessible, and part of the responsibility to protect data falls on IT shoulders.
Compliance Concerns
State and federal regulations concerning health data are also evolving. Companies who bear the responsibility of protecting patient data must not only operate by their own internal procedures, but also that of regulating agencies. There’s a complex legal landscape that must be fully understood and navigated by healthcare organizations.
It’s a tense situation for any organization trying to achieve interoperability. Despite the fact that better access to medical records can help to improve patient care and the health of the general population, the potential for vulnerabilities, non-compliance, and the added burden of requirements on providers concerning EHRs might negate any benefit organizations stand to gain.
IT’s Role in Interoperability
Compliance is only part of the bigger picture. You can be 100% compliant with all regulatory agencies and still be unprotected. Leveraging tighter IT security can help organizations bridge any gaps in defense.
It starts with understanding how you manage every aspect of interoperability as it pertains to IT. This can help you to identify potential problems before they become larger issues.
For example, recognizing the increases in mobile access, Bring Your Own Device movements, remote connections, file sharing, direct messaging, and other new communication trends can shed light on new ways that organizations are experiencing data attacks.
Combatting Healthcare IT Security Gaps Brings You One Step Closer to Improving Interoperability
One of the best defenses against healthcare IT security issues is partnering with IT solutions providers that tackle the challenges of interoperability.
Lifepoint Solutions develops platforms and workflows that connect various components of healthcare organizations into a single, unified system. But more importantly, each solution is designed to enhance and strengthen user security to mitigate risk and minimize the potential for data breaches.
To learn more about our advanced interoperability solutions and how we protect and empower the healthcare community, download our free whitepaper on how accessing data can lead to secure, productive healthcare interoperability.