Week 9...

Week 9.....halfway. Two midterms done so we are on the downside. It is alot of information to try to absorb with these classes. I had no idea what I was getting in to (I may had said that before...lol). But, I truly didn't....this is so much more than I EVER thought it was going to be. I know we cannot possibly absorb it all, I just wish I felt like I was absorbing most of it. And truthfully, I probably am, I just don't feel like I am.

This week we covered security on the health records: administrative, physical, and technological security. The integrity of the data is of utmost importance so great measures need to be in place to protect the data. Administrative safeguards pertains to the process of securing data. This would be done by having a security officer in place, having the workforce trained in security measures, and other "non-tangible" security issues.

Technological measures are about the technology of the systems and records. This would pertain to things such as have computers safeguarded with password protection or access controls, having audit controls in place to monitor who, when, and why things are being used, monitored, or changed, and anything to do with authentication of access.

Physical safeguards are protecting the systems, themselves. For instance, having locks on doors that go into a networking room or storage room or facility, or attaching hard drives so they cannot be moved or carried out, and having privacy screens on monitors so unauthorized people cannot see what is on your monitor.

Security is of utmost importance and it goes much deeper than what I have mentioned, but, in a nutshell, it is about anything to do with securing health records of individuals by whatever means necessary.


We went on a field trip to St. Rita's in Lima, Ohio on Thursday. That was well worth the trip! We got a tour of the HIM department and got a very detailed description of what and how the department is run and what the duties are of all the people. That was VERY interesting! I am so glad I went. I saw a lot and it made a lot of what I have read and what I have been studying all make sense. The thing that surprised me the most was the fact that we encountered about 40 employees doing every function there is within the HIM department and every one of them was VERY busy. NOBODY was just sitting there with nothing to do! THIS shocked me! They run a 24/7 operation and they stated if you are the kind of person that likes all your work done at the end of your shift to get over it because that will never happen. They are never caught up enough that somebody has nothing to do. That is a good thing because I hate to be bored and just sit there with nothing to do.....guess I won't have to worry about that....all I have to worry about is finding a job once I graduate!

well, until next well....see ya!! ....Sharon