Digital Health Records: Giving Privilege to Patients through Data Security

A Digital Health record, also known as an Electronic Health Record (EHR), refers to the digitalization of a patient’s medical data that was conventionally maintained through paper files. The Clinics On Cloud Health Kiosk and Box Clinic are transforming the preventive healthcare system by generating digital health records for users to securely store this vital medical data. A Digital Health Record provides an integrated digital view of a patient’s medical history, diagnosis, treatment plan, prescription, and test reports that are accessible, sharable, and help optimize healthcare delivery through technology. Digital Health Records have largely replaced paper files now.
Digital Health Records are maintained using specialized clinical information systems. They can be accessed through health record portals or applications on any digital device. All the data is securely encrypted and maintained according to privacy regulations to protect sensitive patients’ information. Strict access controls determine who can access what data. Health professionals like Doctors, Nutritionists, etc. can securely share information or update health records digitally with the patient’s consent for improved care coordination. Collected anonymous health records help the health system analyse disease patterns, monitor public health and programs, and aid medical research for society.

Key Benefits of Digital Health Records Compared to Traditional Paper Records:

Accessibility- Digital Health Records can be easily accessed online and offline. This improves accessibility to medical history during emergencies or for follow-ups with doctors.

Portability- Patients can share their health records digitally with any doctor or healthcare provider. This makes Digital Health Records much more convenient than carrying around paper files.

Integration- Digital records integrate all test results, diagnoses, medications, and more in one platform for better decision-making.
Analytics- Aggregated anonymous health data from digital records helps generate population health insights for advancing medical research.
Reduce Errors- Digital records reduce the risk of lost files, transcription errors, etc. compared to handwritten paper documents.

Triage- All Digital Health Records are arranged in proper order automatically based on time and date. This makes Digital Health Records more efficient compared to paper documents.

Eco-friendly- All Health Records are saved digitally, so no papers are used, which helps in saving trees. If 300 people use Digital Health Records once we can save one tree, and if 30,000 people use Digital Health Records once we can save 100 trees.

Digitalizing Health Records leads to benefits like enhanced accessibility, portability, and analytic capabilities, but it also inevitably leads to data security vulnerabilities. As point-of-care devices such as the Clinics On Cloud Health Kiosk and Box Clinic progressively proliferate for preventive medical screening, safeguarding sensitive patient information in Clinics On Cloud through strong privacy protocols and compliance measures are instituted to engender confidence and prevent any breach.

How Clinics On Cloud Ensure Data Security:

Information security is most important in the healthcare domain due to the sensitive nature of patient data. Recognizing this, Clinics On Cloud focuses concerted efforts on encryption, access controls, auditing, global privacy standards, and other privacy-preserving controls to build trust for individuals relying on its Health Kiosk, Box Clinic, and digital health solutions.
Clinics On Cloud takes a multifaceted approach to ensure robust data security and privacy for users of its Health Kiosk and Box Clinic. At the foundation is strict HIPAA compliance, considered the gold standard for health data protection globally. The company’s backend infrastructure and electronic medical records are fully compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed by the United States. This stringent framework forms the basis for the secure handling, storing, sharing, and accessing of patient information. Clinics On Cloud leverages best-in-class encryption protocols to further safeguard digital health data. All medical records housed within the system are encrypted using the most stringent encryption standard available. Even data transferred between devices and systems undergo encryption to prevent any interception or access by unauthorized parties. Only through the multi-factor authentication method can accredited medical professionals, patients themselves, or permitted family members access encrypted files and records. Regular auditing of the information system is also conducted through automated and manual means to identify any potential vulnerabilities. Any abnormalities detected through these audits are immediately investigated and resolved. Aggregated health analytics derived from records use only anonymized data to maintain patient strict anonymity and confidentiality as per norms. Digital patient consent is captured for use according to regulations. Backup systems and protocols ensure business continuity and data availability even during disasters.
Clinics On Cloud has implemented ISO 27001. The ISO/IEC 27001 standard comprises an extensive framework of best practices for Information Security
Management Systems (ISMS). This includes formalizing information security policies, objectives, risk management processes, asset management protocols, access control measures, cryptographic controls, and more. Adherence to ISO 27001 helps Clinics On Cloud establish a solid baseline for defending electronic health records’ confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The standard brings standardization and maturity to internal security practices. Regular audits by certified third-party assessors validate ongoing ISO 27001 certification for Clinics On Cloud’s Information Security Management System (ISMS). In addition, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is conducted by certified ethical hackers periodically. VAPT plays a crucial role in proactively identifying vulnerabilities and eliminating potential loopholes in Clinics On Cloud’s IT infrastructure, websites, web applications, networks, and other digital assets. This includes Clinics On Cloud Health Kiosk and Box Clinic. With VAPT, Clinics On Cloud gains assurance that their digital platforms, Health Kiosk and Box Clinic incorporate robust security controls to safeguard health data as per compliance and customer requirements.

Integration with ABDM, ABHA, and eSanjeevani:

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is the umbrella program for India’s digital health landscape. Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), and eSanjeevani are initiatives under this purview. Clinics on Cloud has integrated its Health Kiosk and Box Clinic with the key national digital health initiatives of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), and eSanjeevani. This integration allows it to leverage the digital health infrastructure being built by the government of India. ABHA is a key component of ABDM which assigns a unique 14-digit health ID card to citizens to maintain their health record in a digital format. eSanjeevani is the government’s national teleconsultation service that allows patients to consult with doctors remotely via phone, tablet, or computer. eSanjeevani and ABDM are both integrated by the National Health Authority (NHA). This integration boosts access, experience, outcomes, and efficiency of healthcare delivery through Clinics On Cloud’s Innovative Health Kiosk and Box Clinic. It also helps achieve the goal of the national digital health mission.

Outline

Clinics On Cloud is helping millions gain the advantage of digital health records without any security concerns by focusing on data protection, privacy, and compliance. Its standards-based approach sets an example for decentralized preventive healthcare models to leverage digital transformation safely and for users’ long-term well-being