Paul Teed reports: West Middlesex Hospital today insisted it has strict security around confidential patient records after a campaign group raised concerns over the number of non-medical staff with access to documents. Big Brother Watch said regular breaches across the country had resulted from slack safeguarding of sensitive personal information. The hospital in Twickenham Road,…
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UK: Porters have 'access' to medical records
Over 100,000 non-medical staff have access to patient records, a campaign group is claming. Big Brother Watch, in its report ‘Broken Records’ claims that 101,272 non-medical personnel working in acute NHS trusts have access to records – access being defined as being able to see at least a patient’s full name, date of birth and…
Should Doctors Google Their Patients?
Jennifer Valentino-DeVries reports: By now, it’s well known that almost anyone you meet — from a potential employer to a prospective date — might be searching for information about you online. But would you feel strange knowing that your doctor was Googling you? The practice appears to be widespread, according to an essay in the…
Prescription drug database battle rages
Bob Barr comments on legislation proposed in Georgia: Federal and state drug agencies want Georgia to create a database of doctors who prescribe pain medications, pharmacists who fill prescriptions for pain medications, and patients who receive prescription pain medications. And law enforcement agencies are employing a full-court press in the General Assembly to get what…
Missouri State Senator Wants Docs to Invade Patients' Privacy
Meet Tom Dempsey, a threat to the privacy of women in Missouri. State Senator Dempsey recently introduced a bill, SB 792, that would have doctors invade their patients’ privacy and require doctors to try to give patients information that supports his religious agenda even if the patients do not want it. Emphasis added by me…
Security Breaches: Treat the Disease Not The Symptoms
Michael Powers writes: A brief survey of the Canadian landscape would reveal that Ontario requires breach notification under the Personal Health Information and Protection Act for custodians of personal health information; upon full proclamation, Newfoundland will require breach notification under its Personal Health Information Act; Nova Scotia’s new legislation on personal health information (to be…