Medical Records

Overview

Alteus' electronic medical record security group specializes in providing security, network, and data management services to healthcare providers.

Our success is the result of several factors:

• Expertise - We have the experts you need when you need them.

• Methodology - The Alteus Security Implementation Strategy (A.S.I.S.).

• Growth - The rapid growth of the medical data security industry.

• Focus - The increased focus of healthcare organization on data management.

Click here to learn more about our medical data services.

Expertise

Alteus' medical information security group includes experts in data security and medical informatics. Our resources allow us to efficiently address the specific needs of healthcare organizations. To cope with the rapid changes in technologies and medical regulations, our team members spend an average of ten (10) weeks per year training and updating their skills.  These efforts are complemented by the strong working relationships we develop with our customers.  The result is expertise which keeps pace with the latest advances in medical information security.

Methodology

To ensure consistency and quality, Alteus utilizes a well-defined process for providing security services to healthcare organizations. The Alteus Security Implementation Strategy (A.S.I.S.) is based on the five phases of the security life cycle:

• Risk assessment and management.
• Policy development.
• Implementation.
• Administration.
• Auditing.

Contact us to learn how Alteus can help your organization in any of these phases.

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Medical Data Security Growth

The security and privacy requirements for medical data are growing rapidly.  Some key developments:

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt security standards for individually identifiable health information. These new regulations are scheduled to take effect in February 2000.
• The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) and the Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) have begun to expand their rules on data security and confidentiality.
• The ubiquity of data communication allows more people access to network-based resources.  The security risks have exponentially increased and organizations must now carefully define and implement security policies, tools and attack countermeasures.
• In the event of compromised security, the potential liabilities are large. Patient health may be endangered and financial penalties can result.  The consequences can adversely affect a health organization's reputation and ability to compete.

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Healthcare Focus

Ensuring the security of confidential information is a hallmark of respected healthcare organizations. Whether managing medical records, laboratory results, or insurance claims, those organizations with secure data infrastructures will have a competitive edge. They will be in a better position to pursue emerging medical technologies and finance expansion of services.  With increasing costs and decreasing reimbursements, healthcare organizations need an advantage to set themselves apart.   Our focus on healthcare provides that advantage.

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