Securing the transmission and storage of medical information
Sardinas, J.L.; Muldoon, J.D.
Computers in Nursing 16(3) 162-168; Quiz: 169-170
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0736-8593 PMID: 9611868 Document Number: 487500
The widespread use of computer-based patient records and the increased implementation of telecommunications has brought to the forefront the concern of patient confidentiality. Without adequate security measures, a patient's medical information may be intercepted, accessed, modified, or deleted by an unauthorized individual. Although no internal control is absolute, the use of encryption is a powerful tool to protect data. The authors describe how encryption works and its role in the web of internal controls that protect medical information systems in general and computer-based patient records in particular.