Risk assessments leave hospitals hamstrung

Lisa Gallagher, Senior Director of Privacy and Security at HIMSS, is concerned about the security of patient data in US hospitals, giving the overall situation a grade of “C.” She believes that the lack of security risk assessments is a major problem and that the healthcare industry lacks the necessary expertise to address this issue. There is also confusion about what is required for compliance with regulations. Gallagher does not expect much progress in the next year and worries that providers may not be able to meet Stage 1 meaningful use requirements because of security issues.