Protect Your Practice Against Accidental Data Loss

In 2013, the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported the 2^nd largest healthcare data loss when 4 laptops containing over 4 million patient records were stolen from Advocate Medical Group.  The records contained patient social security numbers, addresses, next-of-kin and patient care data.  This information can be sold to identity thieves and ineligible workers with a value on the black market estimated at 100 to 200 million dollars.

Data losses do not only occur due to theft and unauthorized system access.  Sometimes data is lost due to the disposal of obsolete computers without proper data sanitization.  In the United Kingdom a man located a discarded laptop among other used computer parts in a rubbish pile.  After a little tinkering the man was able to boot up the computer.  Upon searching through the records the man found sensitive defense information – including over 70 top-secret files detailing two military facilities.

What Does This Have To Do With Me?

Your practice is only as good as the service you provide.  This includes customer service in addition to outstanding medical care.  Placing patients at risk to identity-theft and financial loss is distinctly in the negative column of great customer service.  A loss of patient data will cost a practice in lost patients, lost income, and place them at risk of a lawsuit.

According to an article in ComputerWorld, the U.S. Dept. of Defense was sued for $4.9B, BILLION, due to a data breach involving TRICARE, a healthcare system for military personnel and their families.

If this case establishes legal precedent, any practice experiencing patient data loss could anticipate a cost of at least $1,000.00 per lost record.  With an average single-provider office having 1,800 to 2,300 patients, a data loss could effectively bankrupt a small practice.

Could your practice absorb a $250,000.00 loss due to improper data sanitization procedures?

What Can I Do to Protect My Practice?

Donating used computer equipment to a local non-profit is great for the community, helps out those in need . . . and doesn't hurt when filing taxes.  Your practice CAN make a donation of used PCs without placing sensitive data at risk by incorporating data sanitization to your operations best practices.  Simply moving files to the Trashcan icon is insufficient – nor is it necessary to disassemble the computer and remove the hard drive.  Data sanitization software is available that will thoroughly erase data while leaving the programs intact.  This is the difference between donating a functional system that is a benefit to the local Boys and Girls Club and a useless paperweight.

SystemSaver, a hard drive cleaner by WhiteCanyon™ Software is an exceptional tool for your practice’s data sanitization.  The program erases personal data stored by browsers, cached documents, and erases personal data while leaving the operating system and programs intact.  SystemSaver allows you to benefit from donating used computers while providing peace of mind that ALL your sensitive data has been securely sanitized.

You can request a trial use of the program at http://www.whitecanyon.com/EnterpriseSystemSaver, or you can contact WhiteCanyon at 801-224-2952.

If you have questions regarding your practice's marketing strategy, feel free to contact me at darrensomsen@gmail.com.

#whitecanyonsoftware #systemsaver #datasanitization

Subscribe to our mailing list