Security, confidentiality, privacy and patient safety in the hospital information systems from the users' perspective: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Patient safety maintenance and improvement is an expected core function of Hospital Information Systems (HISs). Patient safety can be affected by the privacy, confidentiality, and security of patient information. This study aimed to evaluate the security, confidentiality, privacy, and patient safety in the HISs from the users' perspective.

Methods: A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in five teaching hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2022. The research population consisted of users of HISs in the nursing, medical records, radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy departments. The sample included 397 participants. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed with the SPSS software using descriptive (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and analytical (Pearson, Spearman, and chi-square tests) statistics.

Results: The mean score of patient information privacy, confidentiality, security, and patient safety was 3.19 ± 0.585, 2.48 ± 1.143, 2.53 ± 0.940, and 2.60 ± 0.959, respectively. Patient safety had a strong positive correlation with security and confidentiality, and a moderate positive correlation with patient information privacy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The given HISs were at a relatively desirable level in terms of information privacy, security, and patient safety and at an undesirable level concerning confidentiality from the users' perspective. Developing guidelines and regulations regarding the privacy, confidentiality, security, and patient safety of HISs, supervising their implementation by responsible agencies and departments, and educating and training healthcare professionals about these concepts are essential to improve the existing situation in HISs of the evaluated hospitals.

Keywords: Confidentiality; Hospital information system; Patient safety; Privacy; Security.