Information Security in Nursing

The current featured ANS article is titled “Information Security in Nursing: A Concept Analysis” authored by Jiwon Kang, PhD, RN and GyeongAe Seomun, PhD, RN — free to download while it is featured. This work resulted in a model that the authors project can guide the identification of physical, technical, and administrative attributes and definitions of information security in nursing. Dr. Seomun provided this description of their work:

Information security in nursing requires technical, physical, and administrative security, which comprise an essential information security aspect. Physical security includes disaster prevention measures to protect information processing facilities, where information systems are located, from natural disasters and insider threats, as well as methods for protecting information systems from invasion and destruction. Technical security includes information data protection. The most basic countermeasures are to control access to the information system or to use software with enhanced security is a macro-based security measure that establishes the law, the safety and reliability of information systems.

We performed the task of compiling and analyzing the essential attributes of the information security in nursing derived from the review of the literature in the theoretical phase and the attributes of the concepts identified in the fieldwork phase. In the theoretical phase, 7 attributes (facility stability, external access and intrusion control, technical access control, use of functions, establishing a system, management of human resources, and responsibility for information security) were derived. Seven attributes (facility stability, environmental control, access to information, practical use of security systems, stability, persistence, and professional responsibility) were analyzed in the fieldwork phase. In summary, the attributes of information security in nursing were derived from 7 attributes (facility stability, environmental control, information accessibility, take advantage of features, systematicity of of education, and professional responsibility) in 3 domains [See Figure].

Nurses can review the environmental controls of the workplace and the stability of the facility. They can understand and use the accessibility of health information and the functions of the security program. They can follow the system of the work, recognize the patient information security-related matters through education, and evaluate and maintain medical information security with professional responsibility.

The security of patient information in the nursing field is a sensitive situation, and understanding the information security of the nurse is necessary. Nurses’ information security is an important concept, it is necessary to develop scale suitable for the current situation. Nurses’ Information Security Scale assesses aspects of physical, technical, and administrative security based on conceptual analysis. Nurses can develop a systematic method of performance to enhance the security of medical information with this scale. This study is useful for educators interested in strengthening nurses’ information security