Protecting sensitive patient data is critical for operating a successful pathology lab, but doing so is easier said than done. Fortunately, quality lab information system (LIS) software can make a huge difference in maintaining data security, providing a sense of relief and confidence. The amount of knowledge available on this topic can be overwhelming, so let’s take a high-level look at those components most relevant to pathology labs.
“It Won’t Happen to Us”: Debunking Common Pathology Security Myths
While every pathology lab and medical facility would like to believe they will never experience a significant security issue, any company in the healthcare industry should be aware that the data is not in our favor. In 2023 alone, 725 major security breaches were registered against medical businesses. This dizzying statistic means that even the most robust security measures can fail and place your pathology lab and your patients at risk. Some common security myths to be aware of in the pathology field include:
- Myth #1: Human error is not a significant threat to your pathology lab.
In fact, around 88 percent of cyberattacks can be linked to some amount of human error.
- Myth #2: Data security and patient privacy compromises are unavoidable in a digital pathology lab.
While every pathology lab is a potential data breach target, using quality LIS software can prevent most issues that make a lab more susceptible to attack. For instance, LIS software can enforce data entry standards, reducing the risk of human error in data handling.
- Myth #3: I’m not an expert, so cybersecurity isn’t my responsibility.
While your IT team is ultimately responsible for protecting your pathology lab’s devices, programs, and data, everyone is responsible for understanding and following cybersecurity basics. This understanding empowers each individual, making them feel capable and in control of their role in maintaining data security.
Beyond the Password: Cutting-Edge Protection That Doesn’t Slow You Down
Passwords, access cards, and other basic cybersecurity concepts aren’t the security gold standard they used to be, and thus, shifting toward more innovative alternatives is an essential part of protecting your lab’s data from increasingly sophisticated threats. Implementing multifactor authentication, biometrics, and other advanced data security protections can be secondary lines of defense should access cards become lost and passwords are forgotten or, worse, stolen and used by some nefarious actor.
Insider Threats: Balancing Trust With Smart Access Control
Having trustworthy staff is critical to running a successful pathology lab. However, diligence is still a must when it comes to preventing unauthorized access and other inside threats. LIS software can help your pathology lab ensure that each team member only has access to the specific programs and information they need to perform their job at any given time. Should team members promote or change jobs, lab managers can quickly change applicable programs, permissions, and passcode access.
Transforming Compliance From a Headache Into a Competitive Edge
Understanding and implementing the latest compliance best practices is not always enjoyable. However, prioritizing this step can go a long way toward reducing downtime, protecting your patients’ privacy, and boosting your lab’s competitiveness.
Decoding the Alphabet Soup: Making Sense of HIPAA, CAP, and CLIA for Your Bottom Line
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and other legal acronyms represent crucial responsibilities, and every lab employee has a role in maintaining compliance with them. Leveraging new technologies can lessen the burden on employees.
From Panic to Peace of Mind: How LIS Transforms Surprise Audits Into Routine Checks
A pathology lab functions at its best when team members know all relevant compliance standards and can rely on a system to follow them. An effective system will eliminate the need for random spot checks, providing a sense of ease and reducing stress. Surprise compliance audits are less about catching staff off-guard and seeing how they’ll respond in that moment and more about understanding the regular, day-to-day management of compliance and security concerns. Consistency of procedure can go a long way toward reducing the stress of audits and mounting stress in anticipation of an upcoming audit.
The Compliance Ripple Effect: Winning More Contracts With Rock-Solid Data Practices
Data security is even more critical for pathology labs and other medical practices than for businesses in different industries because labs owe a duty of care to their patients, and part of that duty is maintaining their privacy. This means that labs with a reputation for robust data security often have an easier time gaining the trust of the facilities and individuals they work with and securing new contracts going forward.
Boosting Your Lab’s Efficiency Without Compromising Security
High productivity in a lab is essential but should never come at the expense of safety. Here are some helpful steps your lab can take to create a more efficient work environment without adding unnecessary data security risks.
Seamless Connections: Integrating With Hospitals Without the Integration Headaches
Ensuring smooth data integration between your lab and the hospitals you work with can go a long way toward ensuring that data moves securely. Of course, not all technologies are designed to work together. Choosing a versatile LIS program with as many integration capabilities as possible is an essential first step toward preventing potential compatibility issues.
The Mobile Pathologist: Securing Diagnoses Beyond the Lab’s Walls
Mobile pathology is a cutting-edge tool that helps meet the needs of underserved populations and improve the quality of your lab’s services. However, with more complex technology comes the potential for data security concerns. Choosing a flexible LIS program offers your patients additional services like mobile pathology, giving your business a notable competitive advantage without risking security vulnerabilities.
Automation That Works: Reducing Human Error Without Losing the Human Touch
While automation is crucial in helping your lab accomplish as much as possible, poorly executed automation can make it evident that a machine handles tasks that a human team member once managed. However, when implemented correctly, automation can significantly reduce human error, a common source of data security breaches, while maintaining your business’s personality and values.
Future-Proofing Your Investment in Pathology Software
Making sure that your pathology software meets your lab’s needs now and well into the future allows you to get the most out of your investment and not have to start over with a new system at a later date. This concept, known as ‘future-proofing,’ involves choosing a system that can adapt to changing technology and regulatory requirements, ensuring your lab remains secure and competitive over time.
Scaling Smart: Choosing a System That Grows With Your Ambitions
No matter how resilient your current system is, your team should not become too dependent on its current version. Quality LIS software should grow as the technology you use becomes more sophisticated, ensuring your lab gets more secure while also getting more done. By investing in a flexible program early on, your lab can avoid running into software limitations that have the potential to impact your productivity.
The AI Revolution in Pathology: Separating Hype From Real-World Benefits
The potential capabilities of and threats due to artificial intelligence have skyrocketed in recent years. Still, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Knowing what AI technology is capable of and what is still considered science fiction can help you leverage AI to the fullest extent possible while remaining aware of its limitations and potential risks.
Choose Psyche Systems to Boost Your Pathology Lab’s Security and Compliance
At Psyche Systems, we prioritize helping our clients find cutting-edge solutions for creating pathology labs that are both more efficient and more secure. Our customizable laboratory information systems provide a reliable option for maximizing your technology’s capabilities while protecting patients to the greatest extent possible. Contact us today to learn how we can help your lab balance the excitement of innovative new technologies with steadfast data security.