Introduction
Storing health data in a computer is both convenient and dangerous. The case under investigation describes a situation where a laptop containing sensitive information is stolen. Due to such a loss, patient info is at risk of disclosure, and according to Murphy (2015), such an incident is classified as a data breach and requires immediate addressing and reporting. Given the consequences of such a problem, providers need to take specific steps to solve it and devise a plan to prevent similar crises.
Assessing the Potential Outcomes of the Data Incident
Several criteria determine the impact and severity of information breaches. An incident that may affect more than 500 patients is considered more severe than one involving less than 500 individuals (Murphy, 2015). Moreover, the assessment addresses what has been disclosed and what is the risk of patient identification (Murphy, 2015). The computer in the investigated case may contain details that make it possible to connect information to specific individuals. Then, who gained access to the data is evaluated, and in the case under investigation, the stealing most likely means that the individual is not authorized to see the data.
Finally, the assessment should answer whether information has been viewed and measures have been taken to prevent breach (Murphy, 2015). The case does not disclose these details, and the probability of viewing is lower if the computer contains reliable software and password protection. As a result, the severity of the problem depends on the number of patients affected and the likelihood of data review.
Consideration of the potential impact of an incident also covers several specific criteria. It includes the effect on the functioning of the organization, on patient information, and the recoverability from an incident (Murphy, 2015). Moreover, the impact can also cause legal, financial, and ethical issues (“Data breach,” 2022). According to the HIPAA Security Rule, organizations may face fines of $1.5 million and must notify their patients of the leak (“Data breach,” 2022). Moreover, incidents lead to losing patient trust and harm the institution’s image.
One may suggest that stealing a computer could interfere with the work. Still, it is unlikely that it was the only one, and its information was not additionally protected. For these reasons, the impact on practice and data should not be adverse, and recovery should be rapid. The financial and legal implications also depend on the likelihood of accessing the data and the number of patients involved. Loss of devices is often considered a low-severity breach and, therefore, should not have a critical impact (“4 severity levels,” 2023). However, organizations must take measures to cope with the situation and prevent repetition.
Phases of Data Incident Response: A Step-by-Step Approach
Healthcare organizations should have a plan to protect patient information and address breaches. The management of incidents begins before their onset – from the preparation stage. After that, employees should take steps to detect and analyze, eradicate, recover, and start post-activity to prepare for new events (Murphy, 2015). Following these steps, the organization establishes policies and procedures to prevent leaks during preparation.
After an incident, it is crucial to identify it and examine its severity and impact quickly. Counteraction can include such measures as changing passwords and disconnecting systems, functions, or a device from the network (Murphy, 2015). Then, given the causes of the incident, the organization must take preparatory measures that will not allow its recurrence. In the case under consideration, such measures may include strengthening security efforts for hardware safety, creating a policy for handling such equipment, training, and appointing responsible employees. Such actions should improve employees’ behavior with computers and their safety.
Conclusion
Thus, the use of computers for patient health information carries certain risks. The case under study represents a situation where the device is stolen, which most likely poses a low level of security threat but still requires appropriate addressing. Organizations need to have a plan that will help deal with such incidents and their consequences. Once the threat has been addressed, employees must also consider weaknesses that have led to the problem and take action to prevent another crisis.
References
4 severity levels of breaches – Low to critical. (2023). Aldridge. Web.
Data breach consequences: Impact and cost analysis. (2022). Healthcare Compliance Pros. Web.
Murphy, S.P. (2015). Healthcare information security and privacy. McGraw Hill.