The Ultimate Guide to Understanding and Protecting Your Practice's Electronic Health Records

Threats to electronic health records pose risks to patient privacy and confidentiality. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures is crucial to safeguard sensitive medical information.

Electronic health records (EHRs) have become integral to running a modern medical practice. While EHR systems provide many benefits like improved accessibility to patient information and reduced paperwork, there can also be potential security risks that practices must be aware of.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore key questions surrounding EHR security: the major threats facing these systems, where they're vulnerable, and most importantly, how your practice can improve protection for your patients' sensitive medical data stored within your EHR.

How Important Is Cyber Data Security for EHR?

Safeguarding your EHR system and the protected health information within it is absolutely vital for any medical practice. EHRs contain patients' most sensitive information - full medical histories, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescription information, even social security and insurance details.

A breach of EHR data immediately puts patients at risk for identity theft, financial fraud, and abuse of their medical or insurance credentials. HIPAA violations from EHR breaches also put practices at major legal and financial risk through regulatory fines and damage to their reputations.

Robust cybersecurity protections for your EHR system are crucial for maintaining patient trust, ensuring continuity of care with accessible accurate records, and avoiding costly HIPAA penalties down the road.

What Are the Main Threats to Electronic Health Records Security?

EHR systems face a variety of cybersecurity threats that medical practices must protect against:

Phishing attacks

One of the most common vectors is phishing emails or fake websites aimed at stealing EHR login credentials from staff. Hackers use these credentials to illegally access records. Training staff to identify phishing attempts is key.

Ransomware and malware

Malicious software can infiltrate networks and systems in various ways, encrypting EHR files and disrupting operations. Keeping software patched and updated is important to prevent infections. Offline backups are vital for recovery from ransomware.

Cloud security vulnerabilities

As EHR systems move to the cloud, misconfigurations and gaps in cloud security can potentially expose records. Proper encryption, access controls, and security policies must be implemented.

Lost or stolen devices

Mobile devices like laptops containing locally stored EHR data can be lost or stolen. Encryption helps secure data in this scenario.

Inadequate encryption

Weak encryption or lack of encryption makes EHR databases and communications more hackable. Strong encryption protocols should be used.

Insider threats

Staff with EHR access privileges could abuse them by snooping on patient records inappropriately. Systems monitoring staff activity can help detect breaches.

Hacking of software flaws

Like any software, EHR systems can contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to breach networks and access databases. Keeping EHR software continuously updated is key.

Third party access

External parties like billing services may be granted access to EHR systems, expanding the threat landscape. Vetting third parties and limiting access is important.

Protect against phishing attacks, ransomware, insider threats, and more with Calysta EMR's comprehensive cybersecurity features

How Do Human Flaws Leave Electronic Health Records Vulnerable?

While EHR systems themselves are vulnerable to security threats, the biggest cybersecurity flaw lies with the humans operating these systems. Careless or untrained staff are a leading cause of EHR breaches and vulnerabilities.

Examples of human error compromising EHR security include:

• Entering patient data inaccurately, polluting medical records
• Sharing records without patient consent, violating privacy
• Poor EHR interface design or improper system use harming patients
• IT staff introducing vulnerabilities through configuration errors
• Weak passwords on connected health apps allowing hacks of EHR data

While EHRs can reduce human errors vs paper records, people still remain a major source of risk. Comprehensive EHR security must address this through robust privacy protections, usability improvements, and cybersecurity training.

What Vulnerabilities Do Paper Records and Electronic Health Records Share?

Despite their differences, paper medical records and EHR systems share common vulnerabilities:

• Human errors like misfiling records, entering incorrect data that compromise integrity
• Confidential patient information targeted by identity thieves and cyber criminals
• Features like copying/pasting and unrestricted edits that can modify records without a trace
• Need for access controls to prevent unauthorized record viewing or editing
• Potential for lapses in physical or digital security measures allowing breaches

Patient data remains highly valuable to those seeking to exploit it for financial gain. Robust cybersecurity and privacy controls are essential for fully securing EHRs against these shared vulnerabilities.

How Is the Cybersecurity of EHR and EMR Being Addressed?

Multiple efforts are underway to improve the cybersecurity protections around electronic health and medical records, including:

1	Government Involvement	Government agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) play a crucial role in emphasizing cybersecurity for EHRs through regulations such as HIPAA and providing guidance to healthcare providers
2	EHR Vendor Initiatives	EHR vendors are prioritizing security protections in their products by implementing measures like access controls, layered authentication, encrypted data storage, and addressing vulnerabilities to enhance the security of EHR systems
3	Healthcare Organizations' Actions	Healthcare organizations are implementing comprehensive cybersecurity programs that include risk analyses, staff training, deploying security software, conducting audits, and following best practices to strengthen the security of EHR and EMR systems

Partner with Calysta EMR for cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, ensuring the highest level of protection for your patients' data

How Can Cybersecurity Be Improved for Electronic Health Records?

Here are key steps medical practices should take to enhance EHR cybersecurity:

1. Regular Risk Analyses

Conduct regular risk analyses as required by HIPAA to identify and address vulnerabilities within EHR systems. 

2. Cybersecurity Training

Provide comprehensive cybersecurity and privacy training for all staff members who interact with EHR systems to ensure they are aware of security protocols and best practices.

3. Access Controls

Implement strong access controls and monitoring mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to EHR systems, safeguarding patient data.

4. Security Software Updates

Ensure prompt installation of security software patches and updates to address any known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security of EHR systems.

5. IT Security Assessments

Conduct routine IT security assessments to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks to EHR systems, enhancing overall cybersecurity measures.

6. Multi-Factor Authentication

Utilize multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security and prevent unauthorized access by cybercriminals.

7. Best Practices Implementation

Follow other best practices such as encryption, firewalls, intrusion prevention, and detection to bolster the security of EHR systems and protect patient data from cyber threats.

Protect Your Practice's Most Vital Asset

At Calysta EMR, we understand the critical importance of EHR security for safeguarding your patients' sensitive information. Our affordable EMR system is designed for medical aesthetic practices with premium features like:

• Advanced encryption to protect patient data at rest and in transit
• Role-based access controls to restrict EHR access only to approved staff
• Detailed audit logs to track EHR access and detect suspicious activity
• Tightly integrated ePrescribing module to prevent prescription fraud
• Ongoing security patching and updates to address vulnerabilities

Calysta EMR provides robust, layered security tailored to the needs of aesthetic practices - so you can focus on providing excellent patient care with peace of mind. 

Contact us today to learn more about safeguarding your practice's EHR system and achieving HIPAA compliance.