Patient matching—associating the right patient with the right medical record—isn’t a new problem, but as the practice of medicine and reimbursement models become more data-driven, the stakes will continue to rise.
Q: My primary care provider was running late for an appointment. When he finally came in the exam room, he told me he was late because his previous patient was very emotional. Is it a violation of HIPAA for a provider to share details about one patient with another?
In the digital age of healthcare delivery, the need for appropriate medical device cybersecurity is pervasive. Unenforced password protocols, outdated data storage, unencrypted data, unsecured access to networks—these are just a few examples of distinct vulnerabilities medical devices can have.
Q: While at an appointment, I noticed a receipt sticking out of a patient folder at the registration desk, and I could read the patient's name, last four digits of his or her Social Security number, and diagnosis/billing codes. Is this a HIPAA violation, since anyone walking by could read this information?
