Question

evaluate the role of administrative personnel in protecting health record data to ensure the health record integrity remains intact as well as available for the patient to be treated.

Answer 1

The health care record implies all the essential data needed for completing the treatment of a patient. It includes all the notes from the admission till discharge includes admission notes, initial assessment, history, diagnostic studies, progress notes etc. Not only the health personnel the administrative personnel has a major role in maintaining the confidentiality, security and privacy of the essential data. Privacy is concerned with the collection, storage, and use of personal information, and examines whether data can be collected in the first place, as well as the justifications. Confidentiality implies the avoidance of unnecessary disclosure of the data to another person. Unauthorized or inadvertent disclosures of data gained as part of an intimate relationship are breaches of confidentiality (Gostin and Hodge, 2002; NBAC, 2001). Security can be defined as “the procedural and technical measures required :

(a) to prevent unauthorized access, modification, use, and dissemination of data stored or processed in a computer system,

(b) to prevent any deliberate denial of service, and

(c) to protect the system in its entirety from physical harm

. Security helps keep health records safe from unauthorized use.

As administrative personnel he has to make sure about these principles are following in his organization, and as well as for the electronic health record he has to make sure that :

1. Keep backup files offline.
2. Avoid fraud activities such a taking of photos of EMR/EHR
3. Reduce access to files in the office.
4. Create strong passwords for the systems
5. Always sign off when finished.

By this way, as administrative personnel, he can make sure that the integrity of patient health record is well maintained.