Maintaining privacy of patients’ protected health information (PHI) is one of the most significant concerns related to social media use in healthcare. Privacy and security of PHI are addressed in federal law and governed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). States also may have laws related to the privacy and security of PHI, which might be more stringent than federal laws.
Read more Behavioral health issues have escalated in recent years and pose serious public health and patient safety concerns. About 1 in 5 adults in the United States has a behavioral health condition; slightly more than 15 percent of adolescents report having a major depressive disorder in the last year; and less than half of people who have mental illnesses receive treatment.1
Read more The sale of nonprescription health products — such as dietary supplements, vitamins, essential oils, skin care products, and nutraceuticals — is big business in the United States and abroad. In fact, the global market for dietary supplements was valued at about $152 billion in 2021, and it is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.9 percent from 2022 to 2030.1
Read more In today’s connected world, the need to protect proprietary and sensitive information is increasingly challenging. As technology continues to expand and evolve, cybersecurity has become a preeminent concern for many industries, including healthcare. Complex networks and data exchanges, cloud-based services, social media, online portals, the Internet of Things, and other technologies have introduced opportunities and efficiencies but also potential threats.
Read more In an ideal world, putting in place proactive security measures would guarantee the safety of protected health information (PHI) and other confidential data. However, experience has shown that even well-guarded networks and systems can be infiltrated, resulting in compromised infrastructure, privacy and security violations, and even data losses (for example, in cases of ransomware).
Read more Over the past 25 years, a shift has occurred in both public opinion related to using marijuana for medical purposes (“medical marijuana”1) and state laws that address this issue. Since 1996, 37 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted laws that permit marijuana for medicinal purposes.2 However, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act — thus, it is illegal.
Read more Speaking up about risks, concerns, and errors in patient care is crucial for patient safety. Although voicing concerns may seem like a reflexive response for healthcare providers and staff, barriers can prevent it from happening. Fear, intimidation, lack of confidence, power differentials, and other factors can thwart individuals’ efforts to assert concerns. These issues can permeate healthcare organizations that permit or do not constructively address disruptive behavior, bullying, workplace incivility, retaliation, and blame.
Read more Efforts to reduce bias in healthcare have received increasing attention in recent years as the industry confronts issues associated with health equity, diversity, inclusivity, and health disparities. Bias is recognized as a significant barrier to achieving equitable and culturally competent care; yet, identifying and remediating this problem is complex.
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