Safety requirements for health electronic file; comparison between selected countries

ABSTRACT

With increasing production of health information, information technologies have been used for better management and usage of such data. This enormous increase in gathering and storing of information and widespread accessibility also concerns individuals regarding privacy and security of information. This research is concerned with this issue due to decisions on establishing individual health electronic files in Iran. During this descriptive-comparative study, security requirements of electronic health files in Iran, England and Canada were reviewed and compared. Checklist was used for data collection. Data was collected from journal papers, and books accessed through libraries and other credible online sources between 1995-2006. Security requirements regarding health electronic file such as information security systems, safety of communication and operations management, access control were established in those countries except for Iran. There is no safety and security requirements in this regard in Iran. Security and safety of health electronic file is one of the basic requirements, which lacks in Iran. Due to recent interests in establishing health electronic file in Iran by Ministry of Health and Medical Education, it is necessary that such requirements been established by responsible bodies