How does an EHR system improve security for protected health information compared to paper records?

An EHR (Electronic Health Record) system significantly enhances the security of protected health information (PHI) through access controls and audit trails. Access controls ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive patient information. This is achieved through various mechanisms such as user authentication, role-based access permissions, and encryption, which safeguard data from unauthorized access.

Audit trails further contribute to the security of EHR systems by providing a detailed log of who accessed the data, when they accessed it, and what actions they took within the system. This accountability is essential for identifying and responding to potential security breaches, as well as for complying with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

In contrast, manual record-keeping lacks such sophisticated security features, making it more prone to unauthorized access and loss of data integrity. Physical locks on cabinets provide only a minimal level of security, as they do not address electronic threats or unauthorized access when records are in use. Single-user access is not a practical solution for many healthcare settings where collaborative patient care is needed, and it also lacks the robust monitoring and control capabilities that modern EHR systems offer.