General Aspects of the Technology Topic
- Science and medicine: rapidly developing technologies;
- Technological innovations expand healthcare facilities’ potential;
- Along with opportunities, there are threats;
- Cybersecurity: one of the greatest dangers;
- Security threats exist in every sphere;
- Lost data leads to adverse outcomes.
In the world of fast-developing technologies, there are many opportunities for health care. However, there are also many threats. Cybersecurity threats need to be addressed as soon as they emerge.
The Rationale for Choosing the Topic
- The level of security is vague;
- Computers in the healthcare system are lax;
- Sensitive information exposed to cyber attacks;
- Stolen data causes harm to patients (Fu & Blum, 2013);
- Can attack a separate patient group;
- Can paralyze systems / take them hostage (Coronado & Wong, 2014).
Cyber attacks expose patients to risk. Attacks can disrupt the work of a particular software type or demand money for returning access to paralyzed systems. Attacks may lead to patients’ death.
Standards of Use
- FDA is responsible for cybersecurity provision (FDA, 2016);
- There are new threats of use (Williams & Woodward, 2015);
- Technology is used by all facilities;
- There is security, but too weak;
- Devices monitor the patients’ vital signs;
- May calculate the doses of medications.
Currently, the standards of use are dictated by FDA. There is a range of functions fulfilled by technological tools. A plan is needed to address cyber threats.
How It Will Impact Practice in a Positive Manner
- Implementation of technology is massively important;
- Increased safety of the healthcare settings;
- Increased effectiveness of facilities and procedures;
- Healthcare workers will increase their knowledge;
- Constant improvement in security opportunities;
- Learning helps to analyze various cases.
Getting acquainted with new security measures gives advantages. The personnel will be able to address cyber attacks. Lifelong education gives opportunities for self-development.
How It Will Impact Practice in a Negative Manner
- Introduction of new equipment requires training;
- Education takes away medical workers’ time;
- Training distracts employees from primary duties;
- Hospitals are responsible for information protection;
- Patients may lose trust in hospitals;
- The reluctance of addressing the healthcare facilities.
New technologies demand additional training of the staff. Healthcare workers may be resistant to the idea of spending their personal time on learning. Patients may lose trust in hospitals.
Pros and Cons of Technology
- Pro: helps to arrange the records;
- Pro: technology simplifies many organizational processes;
- Pro: allows clinicians to monitor vital signs;
- Con: personal data may be stolen;
- Con: hospital’s systems may be blocked;
- Con: new technologies require additional education.
There are many advantages and disadvantages of technology use. The greatest benefit is the simplification of employees’ work. The biggest limitation is the exposure to cyber-attacks.
How Informatics Skills and Knowledge Were Applied in the Process of Developing the Assignment
- Learning about security risks / threats;
- Investigating the types of healthcare networks;
- Private networks between small device groups;
- Networks collecting data continuously and periodically;
- Learning about the operation room equipment;
- Investigating servers and gateways of connection.
Working on the assignment necessitated additional research. I investigated the seriousness of cyber threats. Also, I collected knowledge about various types of networks.
Ethical Conflicts that Could Exist
- Nurses may feel opposed to education;
- Nurses may feel restricted in actions;
- Nurses may feel helpless while learning;
- Patients may feel exposed to dangers;
- Patients may feel anxious about risks;
- Patients may feel resistant to technology.
There are serious ethical considerations for the use of technology. On the part of the patients, there may be excessive anxiety. On the part of the healthcare workers, there may be problems concerning extra education and working hours.
Conclusions and Recommendations for the Future
- Technology is helpful in the healthcare system;
- However, it may present some threats;
- Cyber attacks prevention programs are necessary;
- Hospitals should enhance security systems;
- Suggest bonuses for spending extra time;
- Reassure patients by providing positive examples.
It is necessary to develop technology but simultaneously provide protection against cyber attacks. Healthcare workers who spend time on education should be praised in some way. Conversations with patients and their families regarding the possibility of cyber attacks and the ways of preventing them should be organized.
References
Coronado, A. J., & Wong, T. L. (2014). Healthcare cybersecurity risk management: Keys to an effective plan. Cybersecurity in Healthcare, 48(1), 26-30.
FDA (2016). Postmarket management of cybersecurity in medical devices. Web.
Fu, K., & Blum, J. (2015). Controlling for cybersecurity risks of medical device software. Cybersecurity in Healthcare, 48(1), 38-41.
Williams, P. A., & Woodward, A. J. (2015). Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in medical devices: A complex environment and multifaceted problem. Medical Devices (Auckland), 8, 305-316.