| Informing patients about identity theft risk is not | | | | informed of the risk of identity theft in a timely |
| a strict legal requirement but not informing them | | | | manner and they should also be informed of what |
| could lead to serious consequences, not only for | | | | the hospital is doing in order to catch the suspect |
| the individual involved but also for the hospital or | | | | and prevent further harm from being done. |
| clinical practitioner who decided not to inform the | | | | It would also be a good idea in these |
| patients of identity theft risk. In this article we will | | | | circumstances to provide guidance for patients |
| look at a number of ideas to help you establish | | | | concerned as to what measures they should be |
| how, when and whether you should inform your | | | | taking in order to protect themselves - such as |
| patients about the possible risk of identity theft. | | | | contacting the credit bureaus, creditors and other |
| The first principle which you should always try to | | | | parties. |
| stick to is one of data security. Hopefully with | | | | Informing patients about identity theft risk is not |
| proper security systems in place the need to | | | | a strict legal requirement; however, if hospitals are |
| inform patients about breaches in this security will | | | | found negligent in this then the consequences |
| be minimal. Data security involves systems such | | | | could be severe and amount to millions of dollars |
| as secure passwords on all your computers, data | | | | in fines. The consequences for the patients |
| encryption, anti-spyware software and any other | | | | involved could also be severe, not only in terms |
| security measures which your IT specialists may | | | | of financial risk but also in terms of personal |
| suggest. If these security measures are strictly | | | | health information that could land in the wrong |
| adhered to and staff are trained in these and the | | | | hands. All data security measures should be in |
| importance of data privacy then informing | | | | place long before this need ever arises but if |
| patients about identity theft risk should only | | | | there is a serious risk of identity theft occurring |
| happen on the very rare occasion. | | | | then patients should be informed in a timely |
| Some people feel that by informing patients too | | | | manner and given guidance as to how they ought |
| often of the risk of identity theft that they will | | | | to proceed with protecting themselves and what |
| become de-sensitized to the risk, however, if you | | | | the hospital is doing in this regard. |
| have correct security systems in place you will | | | | Take the time to protect your identity so that |
| hopefully not need to do it too often, and it is | | | | you too won???t have to suffer through the loss. |
| important that if there is a real risk of identity | | | | If you pay bills on line make sure you only use |
| theft that the patients are informed of this risk in | | | | secure sites to do so. With so many great |
| order to take precautionary measures. | | | | firewalls and computer programs such as |
| If the risk is high in a certain case of breach of | | | | Norton???s anti-virus it is tough to break down |
| security then it important that patients are | | | | such security systems in place. |