Why Electronic Protected Information Includes More Than Just Medical Records
In today’s digital age, it’s more critical than ever to protect sensitive information. Electronic Protected Information (ePHI) is information that is digitally created, maintained, and accessed by healthcare providers. It includes medical records, but also covers much more. In this article, we’ll explore why ePHI is broader than medical records and why it’s important for healthcare providers and patients.
What is ePHI?
Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) encompasses any individually identifiable health information that is created, received, maintained, or transmitted by healthcare providers. This includes information such as medical diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, and medical images. It also includes information that may not be health-related but is still protected, such as social security numbers, financial data, and employment information.
Why is ePHI important?
ePHI is critical to providing quality healthcare. It allows healthcare providers to maintain accurate, up-to-date information on patients and coordinate care across different providers. In addition to the healthcare benefits, ePHI contains sensitive patient information that must be protected. Unauthorized access, theft, or hacking can have serious consequences, such as identity theft, financial loss, and even harm to the patient’s physical well-being.
How is ePHI protected?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets standards for protecting ePHI. Healthcare providers are required to implement a range of technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This includes password protections, encryption, firewalls, and backups to protect against unauthorized access or data loss.
Examples of ePHI breaches
Despite the safeguards in place, ePHI breaches can still occur. In 2019, the American Medical Collection Agency (AMCA) suffered a data breach that affected over 20 million patients. Hackers gained access to sensitive information, including social security numbers, birthdates, and financial data. The breach had serious consequences for affected patients, including identity theft and financial loss.
Another example of an ePHI breach occurred in 2015 when Anthem Blue Cross suffered a breach that affected almost 80 million individuals. Hackers gained access to personal information such as names, social security numbers, and medical IDs. The breach underscored the importance of protecting ePHI and the serious consequences that can result from a breach.
Conclusion
Electronic Protected Information (ePHI) is an essential component of modern healthcare, encompassing much more than just medical records. Protecting ePHI is not only crucial for the provision of quality healthcare but also for safeguarding sensitive patient information. While technology has brought many benefits to healthcare, it has also brought new risks that require careful management. Healthcare providers must take steps to protect ePHI to avoid the significant consequences that can result from a breach.
