Strategies for success when medical groups participate in CHINs

A community health information network (CHIN) is a group of health care providers and others interested in health care in a community who share computerized patient information and medical records to provide comprehensive quality care at a lower cost. To protect confidential patient data, all CHIN members should sign a confidentiality agreement describing how and for what purposes health information may be used and incorporating adequate indemnification provisions for unauthorized disclosure. Further, CHIN members should implement practical security passwords which are periodically changed, and the rapid deactivation of the user identification of terminated employees. To ensure data integrity, clear policies should be established for recording, amending and destroying information stored in patient records. To preserve the availability of the network's essential software, CHIN members also should enter into software license agreements which will allow for uninterrupted use of the network software following the addition of a new member or the departure on an existing member. Medical groups participating in CHINs can utilize these strategies to minimize their liability exposure from patient data confidentiality lapses and to promote proper data management and software availability for the smooth functioning of the network.