Jennifer Graham of the Canadian Press reports: Gary Dickson has seen abandoned medical records turn up in some pretty bizarre places in his time as Saskatchewan’s privacy commissioner – mouldy basements, drafty Quonset huts, vacant buildings. He argues that more needs to be done to protect sensitive, personal health information left behind when a doctor…
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UK Commons committee rejects six-year DNA records plan
Alan Travis reports: Government proposals to keep the DNA profiles of innocent people for up to six years have been rejected by the Commons home affairs select committee. The MPs’ report, published in advance of a key Commons vote on DNA, says they are not convinced that such a long retention period will lead to…
A dozen here, a dozen there…
I was reading an ID theft news story, and noted that one of those allegedly involved in the ring was an employee of an unnamed physician’s office. It’s not the kind of story that makes big news in terms of numbers, but represents a real risk for physicians and health care professionals with small offices,…
Major deficiencies in VCHA's Primary Access Regional Information System – report
The Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia has released its review of the electronic health information system set up by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority known as the Primary Access Regional Information System (PARIS). From the Executive Summary: The electronic health record system at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (“VCH”) known as…
Kaiser official defends security practices for veterans health data
Alice Lipowicz reports: In the last several days, I have read a news article and a blog post that raise questions about Kaiser Permanente’s privacy and security policies regarding the medical records of its patients — including the records of about 450 veterans participating in a Kaiser/Veterans Affairs Department health data exchange pilot program in…
Social networking threats put new pressure on healthcare CSOs
Eric B. Parizo reports: A panel of healthcare security leaders say increasing pressure from users and management to allow access to social networking and Web 2.0 technologies is raising new concerns about keeping their IT environments secure. The discussion at RSA Conference 2010 offered a unique look at decisions faced by security directors charged with…