The digital transformation in healthcare comes with a critical question: How safe is our data? Amid increased use of medical software, we explore the crux of data security, and how it intertwines with the benefits of a streamlined digital platform.

The healthcare industry is data sensitive and technological improvements, such as medical software, have enabled healthcare professionals to use this data to improve their productivity. However, the question comes to mind: how safe is all this data?

In this article, we will be focusing on data security, which includes patient information and the protection of the healthcare professional’s finances as well as the benefits of making the use of a medical software application that will facilitate the protection of information. Using secure medical software, the healthcare professional can not only protect their data and finances but also save it through best-practice internal controls.

1. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Healthcare professionals are looking for a more secure digital solution. Medical software is transforming and simplifying
the way medical practices operate. Healthcare costs are on the rise, and it can be a struggle to find a balance between quality patient care and the costs to maintain such a status.

The primary benefits of digital transformation are changing how patients and doctors interact with each other, altering how data is managed, saving time and cost by transforming processes that were previously heavy manual-driven and paper-intense processes. Most healthcare professionals will opt for a web-based medical software.

 1.1 WEB-BASED

A web-based application is any application that uses a website as the user interface. Users can easily access the application from any device connected to the internet using a standard browser.

This contrasts with traditional desktop applications, which are installed on a local computer. Storing the information in the cloud allows you to access it anywhere and anytime regardless of the machine making it a highly accessible and
flexible technology.

With the benefit of being cost-efficient, easily manageable, and facilitating in back-ups and restoring data, the installation and maintenance process is easier, cloud-based medical software can give you a strategic edge. However, there are cons such as limited control, network connectivity dependency, and downtimes where providers are implementing maintenance.

2. IMPLEMENTING SECURITY

2.1 ACCESS CONTROL

It’s important to limit access to computers at your medical practice. This includes the different users that will have access to the medical software. A patient’s data is on a need-to-know basis and needs to be protected. Ensure that you have a role and responsibilities guideline to facilitate you as the practice owner.

2.2 PASSWORDS

Of course, not everyone likes to remember multiple passwords for multiple accounts, however, for a medical practice using medical software, it is quite mandatory. It’s especially important when considering the access controls as mentioned above.

At your medical practice, it is a good idea to have a policy that requires a strong password and a change of password every 90 days.

 2.3 POPI COMPLIANCE

Compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), also known as the POPI, is mandatory for most organisations in South Africa. This means that we should consider privacy implications in all our processes and systems and build security and privacy concepts into the day-to-day operation of our organisations. POPI is all about privacy, and this means security.

 2.4 BACKUP

Backing up your medical practice’s data regularly will help you in the situation of damage, theft and loss. Regular backups will give your medical practice something to fall back on so that not all your data is lost. Finding a medical software company that is web-based ensures automatic backups of your data and they will have backup and disaster recovery plans to help protect against data loss during a natural disaster or other unexpected events.

 2.5 CLOUD SECURITY

A medical software company that monitors network traffic to the cloud will help ensure that you will always have access to the software. This includes the identification of unauthorised attempts to upload or change information or to otherwise cause damage to the Cloud in which any possible criminal activity will be reported, together with any evidence which may be gathered, to the appropriate authorities.

2.5 EDUCATION

Employees of the medical practice require ongoing education to stay on top of data security risks. Employees need to be equipped with the necessary processes and steps necessary to take to protect the practice’s data. Staying vigilant in keeping sensitive information out of bounds for visitors, other patients, and any other role that has no responsibilities regarding a patient’s sensitive information.

3. BENEFITS OF MEDICAL SOFTWARE

3.1 REDUCES OFFICE SPACE

One will notice that once you start shifting to a medical software, your practice starts to transform. Going from stacked files and various cabinets to all of it being saved onto a web-based application. Your office space will significantly increase.

3.2 PAPERLESS

As mentioned above, all of your files such as debtor files, accounts, and clinical information will now transform from physical to digital. Using medical software that has paperless capabilities will not only save you space, but it will also save costs related to office supplies and give your practice an environmentally conscious edge.

 3.3 ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software is a digital file cabinet for patient files – storing medical history, scripts, medications, lab results, treatment plans and patient billing information. Implementing an EMR system increases medical practices’ productivity and the quality of medical care given to patients.

3.4 PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY

Following the first few benefits is the increase in productivity and efficiency through medical software that provides easy and fast patient input and billing, real-time medical aid claiming, smooth scripting, electronic pathology test and integrated clinical notes. Such software better leverages staff time by automating standard tasks. Other benefits here include accuracy and error reduction.

3.5 DATA BACKUP

With regular data backups, there is no need to worry about any natural disaster obliterating your records and the disastrous financial results thereof, because all you need to retrieve them is a device and internet connectivity. Very importantly, no one has to consciously think of updating records, because they are updated in real-time.

3.6 EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION

With the correct employees given access to the software, medical software promotes outstanding collaboration and sharing amongst teams in a medical practice as well as doctors from other medical practices.

3.7 MORE FOCUS ON QUALITY PATIENT CARE

Through automating processes and administrative tasks, a smart medical software enables healthcare providers to focus more on their patients and servicing them with quality care. The less practitioners have to worry about the different tasks and processes, the more time they will devote to their patients, building a loyal and strong patient base.

CONCLUSION

As a practitioner and/or medical practice owner, investing in a complete medical practice management software will prove to be of great benefit to you, your practice, and your patients. Invest in a software application that enables you to have security measures in your practice. Make data protection a priority through using medical software that not only gives you security tools and/or features, but one that self-complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act.