Page 28 - Part 1 Navigating Electronic Media in a Healthcare Setting

SVMIC Navigating Electronic Media in a Healthcare Setting

should be implemented to reduce the risk of unauthorized data

access.

Any data stored on a mobile device – or transmitted by it – must

have protections in place to ensure the data cannot be altered or
destroyed, and controls must be put in place to allow devices to be

audited. It must be possible to examine access to ePHI (and

attempted access attempts), as well as any other activity
performed on the device that has potential to affect data security.

Provided the appropriate security controls are put in place, the use
of mobile devices in the healthcare setting has huge potential to

improve efficiency, productivity, reduce operational costs and

improve patient outcomes. The key is to make sure the devices do
not place patient privacy at risk or provide criminals with an easy

access point into the network.
3

Social Media

Social media takes many forms, and with new platforms

continuously being developed, it is constantly changing. Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest and Tumblr are a few of the

more popular social media platforms used today, but there are
many new social media outlets waiting to take their place. Many

non-healthcare-related enterprises use these resources to

enhance communication with current and potential customers, but
these programs can be pitfalls for healthcare providers, who must

ensure that their online presence does not violate legal and/or

ethical standards.

Ethical considerations that exist with social media include defining

a professional boundary for limiting contact with an online ‘friend’

3 https://www.hipaajournal.com/mobile-data-security-and-hipaa-compliance/

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