Healthcare IT Complaint: Senior Management Does Not View Privacy And Data Security As A Priority

"Healthcare providers aren't adequately protecting patient privacy in implementing e-health records, according to a recent survey of healthcare IT managers. Some 80% of healthcare organizations have experienced at least one incident of lost or stolen health information in the past year.

The study from security management company LogLogic and the Ponemon Institute, which conducts privacy and information management research, found that patient privacy is at risk in the nationwide push to implement e-health records.

"The majority of IT practitioners in our study don't believe that their organizations have adequate resources to protect patients' sensitive or confidential information," said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of The Ponemon Institute, in a statement about this month's study, released Tuesday. "The lack of resources and support from senior management is putting electronic health information at risk."

Some 70% of IT managers surveyed said that senior management does not view privacy and data security as a priority. [my bold]"

Information Week - E-Health Records Put Patient Privacy At Risk

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EDITORIAL COMMENT: SENIOR MANAGERS, LIKE MANY PARENTS, ARE TOO LAZY OR FRIGHTENED TO INFORM THEMSELVES OF THE DATA AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUES THEY ARE FACED WITH

In my experience IT personnel pull the rabbit out of the hat one too many times for senior managers that just don't give a shit about things like data security.

IT people often give that extra bit of effort for managers that chronically under resource data safety, fixing problems that should have never happened in the first place. Managers who make decisions on IT based on the colour of the computers and whether or not it matches their decor. Managers who think that having the biggest monitor is a sign of their technological prowess.

Data security is unsexy. I can only hope a few criminal charges and lawsuits from now managers will start to get with the program.

- J. Burton