Securing data to meet NHS Information Governance aims
Posted on Fri, Jan 27, 2012
One of the main challenges for NHS Information Governance professionals is ensuring that patient data is kept confidential and secure while enabling staff have access to the information needed, when they need it. It's a challenge faced by every part of the NHS every day.
Competing demands on information governance
Information Governance professionals know what a tricky task it is - balancing the need to act swiftly but securely. Getting it wrong could not only mean a fine from the Information Commissioner's Officer but also puts at risk the trust between carers and patients.
A survey of 1000 patients carried out last year found a third of them would travel more than 30 miles for treatment to avoid being treated at a hospital they didn't trust to keep their medical records confidential.
More challenges: cost-cutting, complexity, telehealth
It seems likely that the headaches faced will only become more severe in the next few years. Especially as the NHS places even greater emphasis on carers from different services – within the NHS and outside it.
Additionally, the Department of Health is launching projects such as the 3 Million Lives telehealth initiative, which are based around sharing even more patient information electronically, complicating the information governance picture still further.
Securing data to support information governance
Against this background, you need to create an environment which makes it quick and easy for your colleagues to do their jobs while still handling patient information appropriately.
A key component of any information governance strategy will be to implement processes and technologies that secure data when it is being sent to someone else involved in a patients’ care.
Tools for sending data need to allow information to be transmitted easily between clinicians, carers and patients while preventing it from being intercepted, lost or accidentally shared with the wrong people.
Download our white paper for more information. We explain how secure data in motion can help you and your colleagues address your Information Governance challenges and provide a useful checklist of what to look for in a secure data solution.
