Content by Marianne Kolbasuk McGee

Secure Texting In Healthcare

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  November 5, 2012

Text-messaging by physicians and other clinicians poses serious potential patient privacy risks. But with security controls in place, some healthcare organizations are giving a green light to texting in certain circumstances.

HIEs: Help in Disasters?

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  November 2, 2012

How big of a role did health information exchanges play in providing access to records during Superstorm Sandy, and what lessons can be learned? Federal officials will address these questions, says HIE expert Lee Stevens.

VA Criticized for Data Sharing Policies

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 29, 2012

The Department of Veterans Affairs is not taking adequate steps to protect the privacy of sensitive information that's shared with researchers, according to a new OIG report. Find out what the OIG recommends.

Insights on Protecting Genomic Data

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 26, 2012

Human genome sequencing can support groundbreaking research leading to improved treatments. But before genetic testing can become common, privacy issues need to be tackled, says Lisa M. Lee, who heads a presidential advisory panel.

HITECH Payments to be Scrutinized

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 24, 2012

The HHS Office of Inspector General plans to scrutinize whether any HITECH Act electronic health record incentive payments have been inappropriately issued and review HIPAA compliance enforcement efforts.

Health Breach Tally Tops 500 Milestone

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 23, 2012

It's official: There have been more than 500 major U.S. health data breaches since the HIPAA breach notification rule went into effect in 2009. But is the breach picture improving so far this year?

GOP Legislators Question HITECH Merits

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 22, 2012

Four Republican senators have joined four GOP congressmen in questioning the value of the HITECH Act's EHR incentive program. But others question whether the criticism is politically motivated.

FDA Tackling Medical Device Security

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 18, 2012

After being criticized for how it handles incidents involving medical devices affected by information security issues, the Food and Drug Administration is planning to take action.

VA Revamps Mobile Device Plan

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 17, 2012

The Department of Veterans Affairs will test-drive up to 5,000 tablets and smart phones in pilots during the next six to 12 months before ramping up its use of the devices. Learn about the strategy.

Panel Urges Genomic Privacy Measures

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 16, 2012

A new report by a presidential commission says there are too many discrepancies in privacy regulations related to patients' genomic data. Find out what the panel recommends.

Calls for Halting HITECH Misguided

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 12, 2012

Suspending the HITECH Act's electronic health record incentive program, as suggested by four GOP congressmen, is a misguided idea that could hamper efforts to cut healthcare costs and jeopardize data security.

HIE Collaborative Effort Restructured

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 12, 2012

A new not-for-profit organization is taking over coordination of an ongoing collaborative effort designed to help facilitate nationwide secure health information exchange. Find out all the details.

Medicare Lags on Breach Notification

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 12, 2012

The unit of the Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program isn't consistently complying with the breach notification rule that HHS enforces, a new report shows.

Risk Assessments: Expert Advice

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 11, 2012

Healthcare providers often fail to conduct comprehensive, timely risk assessments, as required by regulators. But security expert Kate Borten says they can leverage new guidance to help get the job done.

Keeping Mobile Data Secure

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee  •  October 7, 2012

Lost and stolen unencrypted mobile devices are reoccurring culprits in data breaches. So why isn't the use of encryption more widespread? And how are organizations ramping up mobile security?