SEMAIS President and CEO.
In today’s digital age, technology plays a crucial role in healthcare. The transformation of health IT has revolutionized the way patient data is managed and used. Thanks to advances in electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and mobile health applications, healthcare professionals can seamlessly access and share vital information. It also streamlines healthcare professionals’ ability to quickly diagnose and uncover health issues through AI-driven data.
Health IT transformation brings unique advancements and opportunities to improve patient healthcare, but with great power comes great responsibility. As healthcare becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes paramount. The interconnected nature of health IT makes it vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches, which can have serious consequences for patient privacy and security.
What binds them together
Health IT, AI and cybersecurity intersect and are interdependent. As I have previously discussed, these interrelations are not abnormal since technological integration and cybersecurity have dual relationships. Furthermore, my featured publication“The Cybersecurity Mindset“, highlighted how transformation depends on cybersecurity outcomes and digital modernization. This means that outdated software, medical diagnostic improvements, legacy systems and past incidents determine the transformation requirements of the health IT.
Healthcare IT transformation survives best when cost reduction strategies are planned and implemented. The planning process involves healthcare organizations using past data points from cybersecurity events or technology performance factors to determine transformation strategies.
A 2023 IBM report (via the HIPAA Journal) find that the average cost of a data breach was $4.45 million, with breaches in the United States costing an average of $9.48 million. Healthcare organizations can use similar metrics and data points to determine transformation strategies.
For example, when a cyberattack occurs, the root cause may indicate that software has limited capacity, inadequate cybersecurity measures, or does not support customization. This occurs when the operational requirements of the IT environment change due to an increased volume of patients, data or cyber threats. Imagine that a healthcare organization’s operations change due to data transactions exceeding the performance rate or capacity of the infrastructure. This would require a significant transformation or upgrade of the system.
AI can help reduce system deficiencies when health IT operations change. For example, when a rapid influx of data patterns exists or data correlation becomes complex, an organization can supplement various data analysis requirements with AI.
Data analytics can make the difference in preventing false diagnoses and determining whether cybersecurity is protecting patient data. Through health IT transformation, AI can bring efficiency and productivity where human-imposed errors lead to diagnostic errors and risks. This means that an organization growing from 1 million to 5 million patients would become hybrid – using humans and technology. The solution would complement some human decisions for medical transactions and diagnostics using AI. The end result, answer or diagnosis would require a human decision.
Patient health security and data protection
Health IT transformation is happening for a variety of reasons, events, and business decisions. Healthcare, data and access to a patient’s medical records are essential. Everyone determines whether the information is accurate, processed and delivered in real time. The integration of advanced technologies has digitized medical information and met patient data protection requirements.
EHRs are digitally transforming health IT and cybersecurity. Private medical organizations have found great use and appeal since paper records must be stored in facilities and sharing requirements require rapid attention. Imagine visiting a medical provider and being told, “Your records from your primary care physician were neither faxed nor mailed. This could lead to serious delays in health care. However, thanks to various modernization strategies, patient records are now easily accessible.
An organization that has made progress implement an EHR system is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In 2019, the VA decided to transform its medical records program so it could connect VA medical facilities to the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, and 60,000 community care providers. The change allowed clinics to quickly access a veteran’s medical history from a centralized location.
During the transition, cybersecurity measures such as information sharing, data protection rights and data retention remained essential. This is also where AI and its dual relationship operate and provide value. Despite progress, cybersecurity remains essential due to new attacks and data protection requirements.
With the increasing interconnectivity of devices and systems, protecting sensitive patient information from malicious attacks has become paramount. One particular area is device security. Medical devices are a major concern as many devices are unpatched, unmonitored, and store personal information. There are also additional risks associated with healthcare organizations using outdated or older devices.
This is where the FDA becomes a risk remediator, because it regulates safety of medical devices and keeps the public informed. Healthcare organizations designing a strategic innovation or modernization plan would benefit from FDA involvement. The data points would help identify devices that meet patient safety needs and the healthcare organization’s data protection standards.
A call to action
It is essential to examine the balance between improving patient health and technology integration. The transformation strategies chosen by healthcare IT organizations must be holistic and focused on cybersecurity. Some essential elements are incident management, FDA regulations, patient concerns, existing applications or improved diagnosis. Additionally, the addition of the AI component simplifies the workload of healthcare providers and supports predictive analytics. Healthcare professionals can make early diagnosis and informed decisions with predictive data.
Health IT transformation is an ongoing process that requires constant commitment and innovation strategies. Cybersecurity communities and technology innovators must collaborate to balance patient safety and business growth. One example is how AI can contribute to this transformation. However, it is essential to recognize the shortcomings of AI, such as misinformation and disinformation.
Despite the challenges posed by the intersection of health IT, AI and cybersecurity, our ultimate goal remains to ensure patient safety through a secure transformation strategy. Let’s reach this end state by embracing innovation and remaining vigilant against potential threats. Together, we can lead the way to a better, more secure future for health IT.
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