Privacy in the medical industry is a hot topic. As the medical industry becomes more and more dependent on electronic medical records (EMR), the privacy of patients’ information becomes increasingly threatened. With the rising number of healthcare fraud cases, more and more healthcare providers are beginning to use private surveillance to detect abuse.

In recent years, we have seen the rise of video cameras, smartphones, and other devices that allow for surveillance at the point of care. In addition to the proliferation of private surveillance, there is a significant increase in the number of individuals who are seeking out medical procedures with the goal of being filmed. This is not surprising given the high-profile cases of doctors and hospitals who have been caught on camera performing unnecessary procedures and diagnosing patients without proper testing or examination. 

How to Protect Medical Records from Abuse

It is best to take a proactive approach to protect your privacy and medical records. Whether you are a patient or medical personnel, here are several ways you can protect medical records from abuse:

Hire a private surveillance company.

Private surveillance companies are trusted specialists in medical surveillance. A private surveillance company can provide you with a complete medical surveillance system. This system can include 24/7 monitoring, access controls, and more. Private surveillance companies can provide a variety of medical surveillance services, including the following:

• Data monitoring
• Access controls
• Cameras
• Monitoring features
• Medical reports

In addition to that, these companies will also appear for court testimony and present at depositions with the documented surveillance evidence. Find surveillance companies near me to find reliable private investigators in your area.

Evaluate your current security system.

If you have a medical practice or hospital, evaluate your current security system. This will include reviewing any cameras that are currently in place and whether they are inappropriate locations. You may also want to consider adding additional cameras to the inside of your facility as well as the outside. Private investigators can be of great assistance to you in evaluating your security system and making any necessary upgrades.

Don’t post anything online you don’t want to be made public.

Many people post a lot of information about themselves online, from photos to personal information. Other than securing your medical records in a safe, hidden place, protect your privacy by being mindful of what you post online. If you have a medical practice or hospital and you are posting this type of information, you should be aware that it could be used against you in a court of law. To protect your privacy, if you are a patient and want to keep any information about yourself from being given out, be sure to shred any insurance forms, prescriptions, or physician statements that could potentially be used against you.

Conclusion

People are often surprised when they find out that video surveillance in the medical industry is more than just security cameras. It is a way to improve patient care and increase hospital revenue. Make sure to find surveillance companies near me to find out if they have the services you are interested in.