Introduction
Modern health technologies and information systems are making it possible for medical institutions to provide timely services. Unfortunately, such innovations present various security and privacy challenges that might affect the level of confidentiality. Different states across the United States are engaging in social networking and ePatient collaborations to address this challenge. This paper describes the arrangement and laws existing in Florida regarding the issue of healthcare informatics safety and privacy.
Collaboration Efforts
Florida is currently participating in various collaboration initiatives intended to improve the level of security when it comes to the use and access of patient data. First, the state uses the Crosswalk Tool that allows providers to search for regulations and laws regarding the safety and integrity of patient’s data. Second, Florida is part of the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC). This is a federal initiative that brings together different states that want to expedite the adoption and improvement of electronic health records (EHR) safety (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.). Third, Florida liaises with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Cybersecurity Program. This federal initiative promotes an enterprise-wide initiative for supporting the wellbeing and health of the American people.
HISPC
Florida is presently participating in HISPC with the aim of introducing additional security mechanisms when using EHRs. This project has been bringing together different states in such a way that they expedite the adoption of health informatics (HIs) while protecting the stored data (Health IT, n.d.). Such an approach is essential to ensure that the handled information is safe while supporting the delivery of personalized and high-quality services. The decision to join this collaborative process has made it possible for the state to achieve notable milestones.
Importance of Collaboration
Collaboration is an evidence-based practice that allows different partners to partner and focuses on the best ways to achieve their common goals. This approach makes it possible for various agencies to identify some of the common security needs and analyze how they can affect the experiences and outcomes of the stakeholders. The states involved in such projects will combine their resources and implement superior mechanisms that can minimize the security threats and attacks that might affect the experiences of different patients (Mello et al., 2018). The initiative is capable of supporting the delivery of timely results within a short period. The partners will benefit from the strategies and implement similar mechanisms that make it impossible for hackers and phishers to manipulate or steal confidential information.
Through continuous collaboration, partners present their insights that eventually result in practical and multi-state solutions. The relevant departments will harmonize the formulated security measures, formulate appropriate policies, and solve some of the emerging problems (Health IT, n.d.). Consequently, the process will deliver desirable goals much faster and support most of the involved healthcare institutions. The regions or states will, therefore, use modern health information technology more efficiently and meet the medical needs of more patients.
Conclusion
Florida is one of the states whose health leaders and policymakers take the issue of data privacy seriously. These professionals have identified and participated in various collaborative projects that have been aimed to deliver similar goals. The initiative has made it easier for more practitioners, physicians, and organizations to offer secure and safe services. The improved level of data security has increased the confidence of most of the patients.
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Florida.
Health IT. (n.d.). Health Informatics Security & Privacy Collaboration (HISPC).
Mello, M. M., Adler-Milstein, J., Ding, K. L., & Savage, L. (2018). Legal barriers to the growth of health information exchange—Boulders or pebbles?The Milbank Quarterly, 96(1), 110-143.