In a world that is ever-changing and adapting, it is important to be aware of the risks that come with new technology—especially in the healthcare industry. From data breaches to ransomware, there are a number of threats that could jeopardize the safety and security of patients.
Oncologists are the most frequent web users among doctors, spending an average of 12 hours each week. Here are 10 of the top risks of technology in healthcare.
1. Data Breach
Technology plays a huge role in healthcare, especially when it comes to the collection of patient data. With the addition of new technologies, however, comes the risk of data breaches.
All too often, these breaches can lead to identity theft and even financial loss for patients. As more and more health data is being collected each year, there is an increased need for security measures that can protect this critical information from being breached.
2. Ransomware
With the introduction of ransomware into hospitals and other health care facilities have come some devastating consequences. With this surge of cyberattacks, hospitals are now taking measures to protect against ransomware attacks that could cost millions of dollars and cause serious disruption for the entirety of the health care system. Mobile health applications have an annual budget of more than $500 million.
3. Cybersecurity
As more and more health care institutions become exposed to technology, there is also an increased risk for cybersecurity breaches. The rise in cyberattacks has led to a demand for more cybersecurity education as well as new security measures to protect health care facilities from hackers.
Although we may all be conscious of the risks that are associated with these hacks, it is important to remember that security can only be maintained if there is a proper understanding among all healthcare facility staff members.
4. Surveillance and Monitoring
With advancements in technology come new ways of collecting and sharing information. This is especially true when it comes to monitoring and surveillance systems. Increased use of monitoring tools has led to a rise in cyberattack incidents that can cause devastating effects for patients. If a patient is the focus of any type of surveillance system, there are measures that can be taken to ensure that their privacy and security are protected.
5. Mobile Threats
Mobile devices play a huge role in the lives of everyone, especially those in the healthcare industry who rely on these devices for all their personal information management and transportation needs.
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in mobile threats as new technologies have emerged. With this, however, comes an increased awareness of the risks of mobile threats and the need for an organized approach to securing these devices against any type of cyber-attack.
6. Cloud Storage
With so much information now being stored online, it is more important than ever to ensure that these files are protected from cyberthreats. Offering cloud storage systems can help businesses—whether medical or otherwise—maintain a centralized environment for storing critical files that could be compromised if they fall into the wrong hands. This type of data loss is not only costly but also can be disastrous for a patient’s health and overall well-being. Spending on resources evaluating the healthcare sector is close to $9 billion.
7. Healthcare Workers
With an increase in the amount of medical technology, there is also an increase in the number of healthcare workers who need to be educated about how to use this new technology safely.
Although this technology can offer many great benefits for a patient, it is important to remember that some patients and their families may not be completely aware of the risks that come with these tools. There are measures that can be taken to ensure that healthcare workers have proper training on new technologies before being exposed to them on a regular basis.
8. Medical Devices
The rise in medical devices has significantly changed the way health care facilities deliver patient care. The use of new devices, however, also comes with an increased risk of cyberattacks.
These attacks can lead to massive data breaches and can also compromise a patient’s health and overall well-being. Although medical devices are often designed to be secure, there is still a need for an improvement in technology that can help reduce the risks associated with these cyber-attacks.
9. Fake Medical Apps
The use of mobile applications is becoming more common in the medical world—as well as throughout society at large. The introduction of so many apps, however, also comes with an increased risk for fake apps. These fake apps can be created by hackers who may have malicious intentions for using these tools on unsuspecting users.
The use of these apps can cause significant monetary and emotional harm for users, and there are ways that users can protect themselves from these types of cyberattacks. Employing a strong mobile strategy is one way to combat the risk associated with the presence of fake medical apps.
10. Social Media
The use of social media has become more prevalent in our society and across multiple industries, including healthcare. Although social media can be a great tool for patient education and engagement, it can also be used to share too much personal information—which raises security concerns for patients. Businesses need to make sure that their social media pages are created with privacy settings to ensure patient privacy is protected at all times.
Ways Technology Is Changing Healthcare
The widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and medical devices is transforming health care. Health care providers are using health information technology (HIT) to improve patient care, manage populations, and reduce costs. Between appointments, almost one-third of doctors email their patients.
Academic medical centers are increasingly turning to healthcare technology to help manage sensitive health data. Medical records are becoming more and more digital, making it easier for academic medical centers to access and share information.
However, with this increase in access comes an increased risk of data breaches. In order to protect patients’ privacy, academic medical centers must be vigilant about security measures.
1. Electronic Health Records
An electronic health record is the central repository for medical information on a patient. These records allow healthcare providers to quickly and easily access important information about a patient’s medical history, including their diagnosis, treatment plans, progress, and overall well-being. Electronic health records are also used to facilitate communication among members of the healthcare team, which can help improve safety and efficiency in delivering quality care.
2. Electronic Billing
Electronic billing allows healthcare providers to bill patients directly for their services—without involving the patient’s insurance provider or having to manually create paper invoices.
This practice avoids a number of the issues associated with manual invoicing, including late payments and insurance billing inaccuracies. It also allows healthcare providers to ensure that patients’ balances are paid in a timely manner, which can help increase patient satisfaction.
3. Health Information Exchange
Health information exchange (also known as HIE) is a tool that allows clinicians to securely and easily access information about patients from other members of the healthcare team. This system can be beneficial for improving communication among multiple parties involved in providing care for a patient.
HIE can also be used to facilitate collaboration between healthcare organizations—as there is no need to rely on manual methods of sharing patient information across different facilities or providers.
4. Mobile Applications
The healthcare industry has seen a significant increase in the use of mobile apps—many of which focus on improving the patient experience. These tools may be created by healthcare organizations, or they may be created by a third party and then used on a hospital’s behalf. Mobile apps are used to help ensure that patients receive effective and efficient care, as these apps can facilitate communication between patients and their healthcare provider.
5. Electronic Health Records Systems
EHR systems allow hospitals or individual providers to create an electronic health record for every patient they treat. These records contain all pertinent information on the patient, including details about their diagnosis as well as treatment plans that have been created specifically for them.
Benefits Of Health Information Technology
Health technology, also known as health information technology, is the application of technology to the delivery of healthcare. It includes the use of electronic health records, patient data, medical devices, and health information technologies.
Health technology has the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery, and to make it more accessible and affordable. Almost 50% of people are unaware that their medical records are accessible online.
The healthcare industry is constantly evolving and developing new health technologies to improve patient safety and medical knowledge. With the advancement of medical equipment, the healthcare industry is able to provide better care for patients.
1. Increased Access To Care
Health information exchange has allowed multiple healthcare organizations to share patient information with one another. This has improved the ability of these organizations to coordinate care—and it has helped patients have increased access to the best and most up-to-date care possible.
2. Improved Quality Of Care
Health information exchange allows clinicians at different locations to view a patient’s medical history and previous test results in real time. This process can help ensure that patients receive the same level of quality care, no matter where they receive treatment, as all healthcare providers are able to have access to the same information on each patient.
3. Decreased Healthcare Costs
Health information exchange may increase the level of quality care provided to a patient—which may improve outcomes for that patient as well as reduce healthcare costs for other patients. It also allows healthcare systems to better manage the cost of care based on each individual’s risk, which can help lower overall expenses.
4. Empowerment Of Patients And Providers
In many cases, access to health information exchange has enabled providers to more effectively identify new opportunities for clinical interventions and treatments. This ability provides much-needed access to medical records and information that allows healthcare providers and their patients to have a better understanding of their medical histories, which can greatly improve the overall quality of care received at their facilities.
5. Decreased Costs For Insurance Companies
Health information exchange can help reduce the amount of healthcare costs that insurance companies pay out to patients. It also helps reduce the overall cost of care as it allows healthcare organizations to better prioritize which patients they should treat and how much they should be charged.
Final Note
The percentage of EMR use is lowest in solo practises, hovering around 37%, and greatest in hospitals with more than 25 physicians, 77%.
The rise in the use of technology in the medical world has led to significant changes in the way patients and healthcare staff members interact with one another. Some of these changes include:
While many of these advancements have been a significant benefit for patients, they also create various concerns that need to be addressed by health care organizations.
One major concern is privacy. These new technologies may make it easier for health care providers to track and monitor a patient’s information—which is often necessary for providing safe and effective care.
However, there are some instances when this tracking and monitoring can cause an invasion of privacy for patients if their information is used for purposes other than what was intended. What used to be private information may now be shared amongst multiple members of the organization, and patients may not be aware of these changes.
Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Priyanshi Sharma
