Auxo Medical News

The Exposure & Defenses for ASCs and Employees

Back in August, we reported in the Auxo Medical Examiner of the increasing victimization of health care facilities by hackers who disable access to key patient and status records until ransom demands are met. In addition to patients, employees often suffer as well because of a workplace breach of their confidential information.

In recent days, we’ve all seen the recent headlines of a data breach that literally may affect 50% of Americans.

Giant Equifax data breach: 143 million people could be affected

Equifax says a giant cybersecurity breach compromised the personal information of as many as 143 million Americans — almost half the U.S population.

Given the snowballing ransomware cyberattacks of ASCs and other health care facilities, coupled with escalating identity theft initiated by hackers for illicit use or sale to other thieves … this issue will deal with two specific data breach exposures:

• The burgeoning interconnectivity of medical devices, and
• Protection against theft of employee records.

The times are changing  –  and healthcare managers need to get with the times.

How would you like to have employees who:

• Crave meaningful work and passionate about helping others;
• Seek and respond well to constructive feedback;
• Embrace training and mentoring to advance their careers; and
• Creatively apply technology in the workplace?

If your answer is “yes”, you have just accepted the profile of the single largest segment of the workforce – Millennials. What’s not to like?!

This generation has now surpassed the Boomers and projected to be fully half of the U.S. workforce by 2020. Also known as Gen Y, this generation born between 1980 and 2000 will escalate to 75% status by 2030.

Of Ransomware, Hackers, FTC and HIPAA

You’ve seen it … you’ve heard it … you couldn’t miss it!

Health care facilities have been victimized by hackers who steal patient identities and increasingly disable access to key patient treatment and status records until ransom demands are met. Additionally, employees may suffer because of a workplace breach of their confidential information.

Traditional technology networks are generally vulnerable and lucrative to attack. ASCs as well as small to medium-size hospitals are marked as primary targets for breaches because their security infrastructure is often lacking. That underscores a July 2016 report that revealed that the healthcare industry is hit significantly harder by ransomware hackers than any other sector … to the tune of 88% of attacks targeted hospitals.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what are current threats as well as those to be anticipated based on advances in medical technology. Additionally, we’ll review technical safeguards under HIPAA regulations and employer responsibilities as viewed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

ASCs at Center of This Major Trend – 5 Major Drivers

ASCs merger and acquisition activity continues its decade long growth trend. Industry experts anticipate the outlook for 2017 and beyond will likely maintain or exceed that momentum.

There are 5 major drivers that fuel this buying spree to consolidate and deliver patient care in non-hospital settings.