Why numbers being used to report medical error deaths may be inaccurate.
The medical error refers to typically a preventable adverse event in the field of medicine that was caused by an error by any party involved with the health care system. Various parties are involved in measuring the number of preventable deaths associated with medical errors, but they all vary, which is evidence of the statistical inaccuracy of data.
The main reason for the inaccuracy is the statistical handling of measurement and misinterpretation of the data collected. The statistical analysis of significant subjectivity involved while determining avoidable death due to medical errors plus assumptions that 100% of patients would live if intensive care was provided (Shojania, Kaveh, & Mary, 2016).
Manipulation of information to avoid repercussions by parties involved leads to false data hence inaccuracy.
Two laws that help secure the accuracy and accountability of EHR records.
The government implemented the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996(HIPAA) which is a privacy rule that ensures that one has rights of their personal health information. The federal government also put in place the HIPAA rule to include specific protections safeguarding electronic health information that include physical safeguards, technical safeguards and administrative safeguards(T, Beulah, & Blessi, 2019).
Government agencies put in place the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Act (HITECH): it is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009(ARRA) that was meant to increase potential legal action for the misconduct of EHR records and provide more strict enforcement on the same(T, Beulah, & Blessi, 2019).
The mission of the National Coordinator for Health Information technology (ONC).
The ONC is a principal federal entity in the states that is charged with coordinating nation-wide efforts and use highly advanced technology and electronic exchange in regards to health information.
The mission of ONC is to improve the health care system and ensure an equally healthy population via the use of technology and health information which is available when and where it is needed the most. The process involves having advanced individual-centred and self-care, transforming the health care delivery system, application of innovated scientific knowledge research, and enhancing health IT structure of the nation(“About ONC | HealthIT.Gov”).
Two unique security concerns of EHR records.
One of the biggest concerns in regards to electronic health records is the possibility of a data breach. The system is vulnerable to a breach since data stored is essential and can be used for a variety of reasons, including identity theft. A data breach happens when unauthorized personnel, for instance, a hacker gains access to the records. However, the act can occur unintentionally whereby a responsible person misplaces an electronic device containing this information, or when transmission of data is done via an unsecured channel (Guarda, Paolo, 2009).
Another EHR security concern is within the process converting date from a filing system based on a paper to an electronic filing system. The information may be overlooked during the procedure, and there is a high possibility for misplacement of recorded data. Another challenge is that written information might no longer get updated after the file is transferred, the mistake may result in complications in situations like system failure resulting in loss of these records ultimately. Such inconveniences lead to medical errors that prove to be a significant cause of death globally. However, qualified electronic health record strategists work hard to formulate transition strategies to fundamentally eradicate data misplacement(Guarda, Paolo, 2009).
Works Cited.
Shojania, Kaveh G, and Mary Dixon-Woods. “Estimating Deaths Due to Medical Error: The Ongoing Controversy and Why It Matters: Table 1.” BMJ Quality & Safety, 12 Oct. 2016, p. bmjqs-2016-006144, 10.1136/bmjqs-2016-006144. Accessed 6 Oct. 2019.
T, Beulah, and Blessi D. “Secure Sharing of Personal Health Records in Database.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019, 10.2139/ssrn.3432795. Accessed 16 Oct. 2019.
“About ONC | HealthIT.Gov.” Healthit.Gov, 2019, www.healthit.gov/topic/about-onc.
Guarda, Paolo. “Electronic Health Records: Privacy and Security Issues in a Comparative Perspective.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2009, 10.2139/ssrn.1528461. Accessed 6 Mar. 2019.