6 Ways To Keep Your Patients And Their Records Safe

Are you running a successful medical practice? Are you concerned about keeping your patients and their records safe? Medical privacy is a hot topic right now. With the rise of big data and the internet of things, keeping our patients’ records safe and secure has never been more important. In this blog post, we will discuss six ways that you can keep your patients’ information confidential and out of the hands of hackers. Read on for tips that will help you safeguard your patients’ data.

Hire a Reliable IT Company

A reliable and experienced IT department is essential for any medical practice. They can help you maintain a secure system and monitor data breaches. For your case, you will require a specialized IT provider in the medical industry who understands the unique requirements of HIPAA and other related laws. Ensure to choose a company that has specialized in the medical field for a long time.

Some tips to consider when hiring a reliable IT service provider include the provider’s background and experience, 24/7 technical support, and the provider’s ability to handle medical data. You can ask for recommendations, read reviews or even research online to find the right IT provider for your needs.

Secure Devices and Networks

Your devices and networks should always be protected with a secure password. Ensure all your devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones, have up-to-date security software installed and configured correctly. This will protect you from malicious attacks such as viruses and malware.

You should also limit the number of people who have access to sensitive patient data and ensure that only authorized personnel can change the system or view records. Your IT provider should be able to help you set up secure networks and encrypt your data for added protection. For instance, they can enforce a two-way authentication system that requires users to enter a unique PIN or code to access the system.

Train Your Staff And Establish Policies

Educating your staff on proper data handling is essential for protecting patient information. Develop written policies and procedures for patient privacy and ensure all employees understand them. Regularly train your staff on HIPAA regulations, and make sure everyone is aware of their responsibility for protecting patient information.

In addition, you should establish clear rules for staff who access the data and set guidelines for what information can and cannot be shared outside the practice. Your employees should also know how to detect any suspicious activity and take appropriate action if they suspect a breach or unauthorized access to patient records.

Utilize Secure File Transfer Protocols

When transferring patient data, ensure you use secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) or FTPS (File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS). These protocols are designed to provide an extra layer of security for your data and prevent unauthorized access. They also give you more control over who can access the data and prevent it from being tampered with. For instance, only managers and not anyone else should be able to see patient files. Besides this, check for updates regularly to ensure that your protocols are up-to-date and secure.

Encrypt Your Data

Encrypting your data is another way to protect your patients’ records from unauthorized access. Encryption adds an extra layer of security by scrambling the information so it cannot be read without a unique key or password. If a hacker does manage to access your system, they won’t be able to open or view the data.

Your IT provider should be able to help you encrypt your data and set up a secure system for transferring patient information. They can also provide ongoing monitoring and support to ensure that no unauthorized activity occurs on your networks.

Backup Your Records Regularly

To avoid losing your client’s information and other data, back up all the records regularly. This will help you retrieve any lost data in case of an attack or server failure. You can do manual backups, but it’s best to use automated solutions which provide remote storage and backup so that your data is always secure and up-to-date.

Your IT provider can help you develop effective solutions to back up your data, including scheduling regular backups, setting up remote storage, and archiving older records. For instance, they can help you set up a cloud-based backup system to store data offsite. However, such data should be encrypted and password-protected to remain secure.

It is important for healthcare providers to take the necessary steps to keep patient information secure. The above tips should help you protect your patients’ records and ensure they remain confidential. From encrypting data and utilizing secure file transfer protocols to installing up-to-date security software and backing up records regularly, there are many measures you can take to ensure your patients’ data is safe and secure. With the right security measures in place, you can protect your practice from data breaches and keep your patients’ information out of harm’s way.