Capella 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Technology advancements have brought a revolution in the field of medical care, improving health outcomes. The use of technology, including Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and telehealth services, also causes severe challenges, such as patients’ data privacy and cyber-security (Siripurapu et al., 2023). Considering the sensitivity of medical information and the growing incidence of security breaches, this issue requires immediate attention and viable solutions.  A comprehensive assessment of these aspects can reveal the problem’s detrimental effect on a patient’s safety (Paul et al., 2023). The assessment investigates the roots and nature of this issue. Furthermore, investigating the ethical implications will be essential to this investigation. The study attempts to provide a complete overview of the problems and opportunities presented by technological improvements to the medical field, highlighting the significance of balance between technological advancement and patient information protection.

Explanation of the Health Care Problem

Efficient management of patient records enables clinicians to organize and evaluate medical data in one database, which can then be shared with appropriate stakeholders. Despite continuous endeavors, the medical industry cannot uphold adequate privacy and security of data (Paul et al., 2023). Health information leaks have become an increasing problem in the medical system. Furthermore, data breaches cost healthcare organizations more than three times as much as other companies. Based on an International Business Machine (IBM) analysis, the standard expense associated with medical information breaches is about $7.1 million (Paul et al., 2023).

The root causes of this problem include security flaws in EHR systems and telehealth services. Recent scholarly research highlights the problem of reconciling technological improvements for medical care with information security and privacy. Kaplan (2020), underlined the legal, social, and ethical implications of technology in medical care, particularly the adoption of telehealth services. The main challenges with using telehealth services are informed consent, data protection and confidentiality, incompetence and accountability, and regulation. Throughout technological advancements, ethical issues such as professional behavior and interactions, patient autonomy protection, multiculturalism, and the dignity of people system are frequently ignored. These characteristics significantly impact the standard of care and patient safety. 

Shah and Khan (2020), asserted the challenges related to EHR use. Clinical information is maintained electronically in an EHR, a hospital’s central data repository. Using EHR records for other uses without authorization raises privacy concerns. Sharing EHR records across departments exposes them to cyber threats and challenges in enforcing privacy regulations, as they can be shared with organizations regulated by regional laws. Individuals’ privacy can be significantly violated if private medical information in EHR is leaked and made public. Private information leakage causes financial strain. The evidence highlights the impact of digital technologies like telemedicine on healthcare, emphasizing the need for cybersecurity measures to protect patient data while advancing technologically (Arafa et al., 2023).

Reasons

Scholarly resources on difficulties associated with technological advancement are critical for identifying and comprehending the complex healthcare challenge. Scholarly studies provide knowledge about using EHR and telehealth services and distinguish them as preventable incidents at various levels (Shah & Khan, 2020). Their credibility is ensured by their publication in reputable, peer-reviewed publications, and their detailed analysis of various elements of healthcare technology directly confronts and illustrates the significant issue of protecting the confidentiality and safety of information with technological advances. This makes these resources vital assets for an in-depth knowledge of the issues and requirements in safeguarding medical information in advancing technology (Kaplan, 2020).

Analysis and Causes of the Problem

Breaches in medical data can be characterized as unlawful access or exposure of confidential medical data, which affects its confidentiality and safety (Seh et al., 2020). The healthcare subject under consideration is the issue of incorporating new technology like EHRs and telehealth into medical services while maintaining patient data confidentiality and safety. In medical care, technology advancement is critical for enhancing patient care but also poses substantial cybersecurity and privacy issues (Arafa et al., 2023). The research findings highlight that healthcare remains to bear the most significant cost of privacy breach, at $7.13 million, after accounting for incident management, lost revenue, and reporting costs. 8% of the breached healthcare organizations in the survey claimed that patient health information was affected (Veličković & Ćiraković, 2023). 

The sensitive nature of patient health information and the severe consequences of information breaches, such as identity theft and privacy violations, underscore the need for effective security initiatives in healthcare technologies (Pool et al., 2024). The issue affects a variety of stakeholders in the medical industry. Data breaches primarily affect healthcare practitioners who rely on these technologies to offer efficient patient care. Patients whose personal and sensitive health information is kept and handled by these systems are exposed to privacy breaches (Yan et al., 2023). Yaqoob et al. (2019), focused on this issue by identifying particular vulnerabilities in EHR privacy, such as inadequate authentication and access control procedures. These vulnerabilities can result in unwanted access to patient data, jeopardizing privacy and trust in healthcare services.

Potential Solutions for the Problem

The issue of security and confidentiality associated with technological advances necessitates an integrated strategy for preventing and reducing damage. Implementing privacy safeguards that leverage sophisticated authentication systems and medical professionals’ training increases patient safety (Javaid et al., 2023). Establishing extensive confidentiality and cybersecurity structures entails developing safety procedures, verification methods, encrypting data, attack-resistant platforms, and continuous evaluation methods. The strategy involves efficient data protection rules, advanced security technologies, and regular training for healthcare personnel, ensuring system resilience against evolving attacks (Jaime et al., 2023).

Operational, technical, and architectural security measures, such as access controls, encryption, firewalls, and authorization, can prevent information breaches (Basil et al., 2022). Additionally, ongoing cybersecurity training and education for medical staff is crucial to promoting an information safety consciousness attitude. Professionals’ Information Security Awareness (ISA) approach enormously affects data protection practices and privacy and security policy adherence (Khando et al., 2021). 

Technology Assessment (TA), is one of the most well-known strategies for dealing with uncertainty, assessing conceptual knowledge related to the future repercussions of technology by examining and investigating ideas, designs, plans, or visions. This approach aids in evaluating challenges associated with Technology innovation (Dhirani et al., 2023). Lastly, establishing a privacy-prioritizing attitude can improve healthcare organizations’ resilience to cyber-attacks and protect patient information in the age of technology (Semantha et al., 2020).

Potential Consequences for Ignoring the Issue

The repercussions of ignoring this problem can cause severe implications. Ignoring cybersecurity vulnerabilities in healthcare can result in severe breaches of information, damaged patient trust, and possible regulatory and financial consequences (Paul et al., 2023). Furthermore, medical organizations’ reputations can be damaged, resulting in fewer patients and less community confidence. Privacy violations that cause patient harm can result in sanctions and legal proceedings. Moreover, medical workers suffer decreased motivation and higher stress levels, which harm patient care. These aspects need careful consideration to maintain safeguards and performance of medical organizations (Basil et al., 2022). 

Ethical Principles and Implementation of Solutions

Implementing technology-related solutions requires a thorough evaluation of various ethical standards to ensure they align with the legal responsibilities of medical staff. Implementing better cybersecurity measures in healthcare should be guided by ethical principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice (Varkey, 2020).

• Autonomy in medical care is defined as recognizing patients’ right to make informed decisions regarding their care, including how their information is employed and disclosed. For example, confidential and secure EHR systems guarantee that patients control their health information, maintaining their autonomy (Afzal & Arshad, 2021). Transparent information usage rules and practices enable patients to provide informed permission about their private data, improving patient safety (Dhirani et al., 2023). 
• Beneficence refers to practices that encourage the welfare of patients. For instance, improving cybersecurity initiatives improves the safety of patients. Medical professionals preserve private medical records to prevent potential problems such as patient privacy breaches and support their patients’ general health (Formosa et al., 2021). The implication of technical and physical security interventions adheres to beneficence, improving data safety (Basil et al., 2022).

Capella 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

• Nonmaleficence is referred to as avoiding harm to patients. These moral standards ensure that medical professionals adhere to the practices of interest of patients (Afzal & Arshad, 2021). Medical professionals can protect patients from harm caused by privacy breaches by enhancing their safety measures. This principle concerns preventative safeguarding and avoiding harm caused by negligence or poor security measures. Implementing security frameworks to preserve medical information is adherence to the beneficence principle (Jaime et al., 2023).
• Justice entails treating everyone fairly and equitably. In the privacy and security of patient information, all patients’ health information, irrespective of socioeconomic level and personal criteria, is equally protected (Weber & Kleine, 2020). It involves establishing an adequate level of privacy that ensures equal privacy and access to technology. For example, training implies that medical professionals become aware of the necessity of safeguarding information for all patients, are educated with novel techniques, and comprehend the moral repercussions of privacy breaches that represent the values of justice (Khando et al., 2021).

Conclusion

This investigation has underlined the significance of managing privacy and cyber-security issues in medical technology. There should be a delicate equilibrium between adopting technology such as EHRs and telehealth services and assuring private patient information’s safe and ethical use. Integrated privacy frameworks, periodic risk evaluations, and regular training for medical professionals can alleviate these issues while complying with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence. 

References

Afzal, S., & Arshad, A. (2021). Ethical issues among healthcare workers using electronic medical records: A systematic review. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 1, 100030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpbup.2021.100030

Arafa, A., Sheerah, H. A., & Alsalamah, S. (2023). Emerging digital technologies in healthcare with a spotlight on cybersecurity: A narrative review. Information, 14(12), 640. https://doi.org/10.3390/info14120640

Basil, N. N., Ambe, S., Chukwuyem Ekhator, & Ekokobe Fonkem. (2022). Health records database and inherent security concerns: A review of the literature. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30168

Dhirani, L. L., Mukhtiar, N., Chowdhry, B. S., & Newe, T. (2023). Ethical dilemmas and privacy issues in emerging technologies: A review. Sensors, 23(3), 1151. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031151

Formosa, P., Wilson, M., & Richards, D. (2021). A principlist framework for cybersecurity ethics. Computers & Security, 109, 102382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2021.102382

Jaime, F., Muñoz, A., Rodríguez-Gómez, F., & Jeréz-Calero, A. (2023). Strengthening privacy and data security in biomedical microelectromechanical systems by IoT communication security and protection in smart healthcare. Sensors, 23(21), 8944–8944. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23218944

Javaid, M., Haleem, A., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2023). Towards insighting cybersecurity for healthcare domains: A comprehensive review of recent practices and trends. Cyber Security and Applications, 100016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csa.2023.100016

Capella 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Kaplan, B. (2020). Revisiting health information technology ethical, legal, and social issues and evaluation: Telehealth/telemedicine and COVID-19. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 143, 104239–104239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2020.104239

Khando, K., Gao, S., M. Sirajul Islam, & Salman, A. (2021). Enhancing employees information security awareness in private and public organizations: A systematic literature review. Computers & Security, 106, 102267–102267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2021.102267

Paul, M., Λέανδρος Μαγλαράς, Mohamed Amine Ferrag, & Iman Almomani. (2023). Digitization of healthcare sector: A study on privacy and security concerns. Institute of Communications and Information Express, 9(4), 571–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icte.2023.02.007

Pool, J., Akhlaghpour, S., Fatehi, F., & Burton-Jones, A. (2024). A systematic analysis of failures in protecting personal health data: A scoping review. International Journal of Information Management, 74, 102719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102719

Seh, A. H., Zarour, M., Alenezi, M., Sarkar, A. K., Agrawal, A., Kumar, R., & Ahmad Khan, R. (2020). Healthcare data breaches: Insights and implications. Healthcare, 8(2), 133. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fhealthcare8020133

Semantha, F. H., Azam, S., Yeo, K. C., & Shanmugam, B. (2020). A systematic literature review on privacy by design in the healthcare sector. Electronics, 9(3), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics9030452

Shah, S. M., & Khan, R. A. (2020). Secondary use of electronic health record: Opportunities and challenges. IEEE Access, 8, 136947-136965. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.3011099

Siripurapu, S., Darimireddy, N. K., Chehri, A., Sridhar, B., & Paramkusam, A. V. (2023). Technological advancements and elucidation gadgets for healthcare applications: An exhaustive methodological review-part-I (AI, big data, blockchain, open-source technologies, and cloud computing). Electronics, 12(3), 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12030750

Capella 4000 Assessment 4 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Varkey, B. (2020). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119

Veličković, J., & Ćiraković, K. J. (2023). Cyberattacks on healthcare systems. Annals of Nursing, 1(4), 6–26. https://doi.org/10.58424/annnurs.tx5.mdn.v5p

Weber, K., & Kleine, N. (2020). Cybersecurity in health care. The Ethics of Cybersecurity, 21, 139-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29053-5_7

Yan, F., Li, N., Iliyasu, A. M., Salama, A. S., & Hirota, K. (2023). Insights into security and privacy issues in smart healthcare systems based on medical images. Journal of Information Security and Applications, 78, 103621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jisa.2023.103621

Yaqoob, T., Abbas, H., & Atiquzzaman, M. (2019). Security vulnerabilities, attacks, countermeasures, and regulations of networked medical devices—A review. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 21(4), 3723-3768. https://doi.org/10.1109/COMST.2019.2914094