Introduction
The issue of managing patients’ data has become substantially more complicated in the healthcare setting., Due to the rise in the number of external threats to which patients’ personal information may be subjected, the necessity to introduce more effective tools for handling information has emerged (Kuek & Hakkennes, 2020). Moreover, there is a need to address the issue of data management more responsibly, (Kuek & Hakkennes, 2020). However, as the case study under analysis demonstrates, in several healthcare organizations, the levels of technological proficiency and prowess needed to manage patients’ health records in a digital format are quite low. To assess the situation and provide recommendations for improving it, one will need to consider the factors that define the existing problem, namely, the lack of technological literacy.
Body: PHI Security Enhancement
Presently, the issue of staff education and the problem of computer literacy stands out as the key concerns that appear to contribute to the concern at hand to the greatest degree. Therefore, Peter should investigate the challenges emerging during the process of staff education and training. Resistance to change is the primary issue that Peter should attack as a manager and a leader since it has been affecting the staff members’ ability to handle patient information accordingly o the greatest extent (Kuek & Hakkennes, 2020). Specifically, the problem of employees fearing to fail in building the required digital literacy skills will have to be handled.
Thus, creating a new education framework for the employees to acquire basic computer skills and utilize the existing network more productively seems to be the most legitimate solution to the failure in managing patients’ health information and other personal data. The promotion of computer literacy and the understanding of how the EHR and EMR systems work will help to avoid the instances in which patients; data becomes lost, confused, or mismanaged in any other way (Kuek & Hakkennes, 2020). Finally, the efficacy of reporting will have to be reinforced so that issues such as lost information or even lost or malfunctioning digital tools could be addressed immediately.
In addition, the issue of responsibility needs to be addressed as another source of concern that may have spawned the development of the current problem. As the case shows, staff members, appear to be disinterested in gaining any skills related to managing digital data and improving their ability to handle it accordingly. The specified attitude is likely to lead to numerous cases of information mismanagement, which, in turn, will cause medical errors to take place. Since patients’ health and security are at stake in the specified scenario, Peter will have to introduce tools for promoting digital literacy, Corporate Social Responsibility, and independent decision-making (Kuek & Hakkennes, 2020). The described strategies will allow nurses to transfer data accurately, which is particularly important for patient handoffs and similar situations where information has to be passed quickly, concisely, and accurately.
Summary and Conclusion
Currently, a range of healthcare organizations is facing difficulties due to the need to transfer to a fully digital framework of managing patients’ personal information. The issues that multiple organizations are facing include staff members’ lack of digital skills and the resistance to change, as the case under analysis proves. To address this issue, staff training along with a better philosophy based on social responsibility must be introduced into healthcare organizations. Furthermore, a more effective reporting system must be installed. Thus, the problems of data loss or mismanagement will be addressed accordingly and removed from the target setting.
Reference
Kuek, A., & Hakkennes, S. (2020). Healthcare staff digital literacy levels and their attitudes towards information systems. Health Informatics Journal, 26(1), 592-612.