HIPAA Security Breaches Cost $24 Million On Average [Infographic]

Any data breach is ultimately expensive. But a HIPAA data breach? That'll cost your organization the big bucks. With data breaches expected to reach $2.1 trillion globally by 2019, which is four times the expected cost for cyber crime in 2015, healthcare organizations must be prepared for security breaches. The infographic below from Privacy Analytics […]

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6 Simple Steps to Prevent a HIPAA Breach

Hospital employees who peek at high-profile patient medical records out of curiosity may not-so-curiously find themselves out of a job. At least one hospital sent a strong message recently and might serve as an example, when 14 of Carilion Clinic’s (Roanoke, Va.) employees were found to have accessed a high-profile patient’s medical records “without a […]

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Salesforce Launches Salesforce Health Cloud

Today Salesforce introduced Health Cloud, its first industry product built specifically for healthcare. Salesforce Health Cloud is a cloud-based patient relationship management solution that enables providers to gain a complete view of the patient with integrated data from electronic medical records (EMRs), wearables and more; make smarter care decisions; engage with patients across their caregiver […]

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How to Prepare for a Healthcare Cyber Attack

From networked medical devices to electronic medical records to wireless connectivity inside hospital waiting rooms, the healthcare industry has definitively gone digital. But with these digital advances comes substantial risk if healthcare organizations don’t secure data where it’s stored. A recent report from the Health Information Trust Alliance says many healthcare organizations lack the tools they need to […]

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Patients Withholding Information from Doctors Out of Security Breach Fear

Patients’ suspicions of data breaches cause some of them to hold back information on their health from their doctors, said a new survey on HIPAA breaches from Software Advice. Almost a quarter of patients (21%) are withholding personal health information from their doctors. While the majority of the sample (79%) said this “rarely or never” […]

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In Post-EHR World, Growth Expected in Non-Clinical HIS Segments

Over the next seven years, the mature hospital information systems (HIS) market will see higher growth opportunities in non-clinical HIS segments, according to a new report from research firm Frost & Sullivan. The report, “U.S. Hospital Information Systems Overview and Outlook, 2013-2020: Managing Information in an Era of Reform,” says current penetration rates are high […]

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Modest Growth Projected for IT Spending in 2015

Will IT spending increase in the New Year? Yes, but "how much" depends on who you ask. Different industry surveys show somewhat different outlooks for IT budgets in 2015. What’s clear is that some technologies (hint: security) will attract much more investment than others. ComputerWorld’s annual  survey of IT executives projects a rosy view. Some […]

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10 Predictions for Healthcare IT in 2015

The dizzying pace of change in healthcare IT shows no signs of slowdown, say industry analysts at IDC, a leading IT advisory firm. The group is forecasting increased spending on technologies that improve data security and manage healthcare costs. Other trends that may drive healthcare IT investments include a “focus on consumer experience and engagement, […]

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Jersey Shore Reflections on Data Governance

Having returned recently from the NJ/Delaware HIMSS Fall meeting in Atlantic City, I am recalling multiple conversations and sidebars on the topic of data governance. But here’s the thing. To my knowledge, there wasn’t a single presentation on the topic. Now I admit I may have had a glass or two of Cabernet at the […]

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QA and Testing Pros Focus on Skills, Innovation at StarWest

Earlier this month, I participated in the StarWest Conference for software testers and quality assurance professionals at Anaheim, California. Many of the best and brightest in our industry attended, and it was clear to me that we are entering a period of rapid innovation and growth in the QA and testing arena. New technology and […]

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4 Hot IT Certifications for HIT Professionals

We receive daily inquiries from healthcare IT professionals and prospective consultants who want to learn more about Epic certification. Given Epic’s predominant market share and growth, it’s easy to understand why so many covet this badge of Epic expertise. But EMR-specific technical skills, while highly desirable, are by no means the only information technology needs […]

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