What is the Origin of Personal Health Record Security?

This term emerged from the patient empowerment movement and the push for individuals to own and manage their health data, independent of institutional Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The "security" component became critical as these records transitioned from paper to digital formats accessible via personal devices and cloud services. It applies to both HIPAA-covered and non-HIPAA-covered data that the individual aggregates.

What is the Mechanism of Personal Health Record Security?

Security is implemented through robust data encryption at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication for user access, and strict adherence to data minimization principles by the hosting platform. The system's function is to provide the user with granular control over who can view or share their aggregated health information, thereby preventing unauthorized disclosure and ensuring the data's integrity for longitudinal tracking and clinical decision support.

Personal Health Record Security ∞ Area

Personal Health Record Security

Meaning

Personal Health Record Security is the set of technical and procedural safeguards applied to an individual’s comprehensive, digital collection of their own health data, often managed outside of a traditional healthcare provider’s system. This encompasses encryption, access controls, and authentication protocols to protect sensitive clinical summaries, lab results, and self-reported wellness data from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Ensuring this security is paramount for maintaining the integrity and privacy of an individual’s complete health narrative.