A security breach is the most dreaded event in the realm of health information. And therefore, health data security is the most carefully monitored and regulated aspect of healthcare. Dubai Health Authority’s NABIDH platform is no exception to this rule. The DHA has built a seamless, centralized platform to facilitate health information exchange. But a comprehensive set of stringent policies and standards surrounding health data security, govern this platform. One of these is the NABIDH Incident and Breach Notification Policy. What is the driving force behind this policy? It’s the need to follow a set of immediate protocols to prevent an imminent breach, or to minimize the damage caused by a security incident or breach.

What is a Security Incident or Breach?

A ‘Security Incident’ refers to any event that may compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of PHI, even though it may or may not translate into a breach. This could be anything like a password leak or unauthorized access attempts.

A ‘Breach’ on the other hand is a confirmed incident where the health information is accessed, used, or disclosed in a manner that is not permitted by the policy, or the health information laws. A breach could cause harm or risk to individuals and their privacy.

What Does the NABIDH Incident and Breach Notification Policy Entail?

The primary objective of the NABIDH Incident and Breach Notification Policy is to manage and mitigate risks associated with the protection of Protected Health Information (PHI) in the NABIDH platform. To this end, the policy defines the procedures for identifying, reporting, and managing security incidents and breaches involving PHI. This is to ensure timely response and compliance with regulatory requirements.

This policy applies to all healthcare facilities, care providers, administrators, third-party vendors, and every authorized individual who has access to the NABIDH system.

Role of NABIDH Incident and Breach Notification Policy in Protecting PHI

This policy is essential for maintaining the safety and privacy of protected health information. It helps in:

Detecting and responding to incidents. The policy outlines the course of action that should be taken in order to promptly identify, and report security incidents or breaches involving health data. This helps prevent further damage and minimize harm.

Notifying through the right channels. Healthcare providers and stakeholders need to be aware of the right authorities and individuals to notify, in the event of a breach. This policy clearly establishes these channels, making it easy for them to take prompt action, without any delay.

Investigating incidents. The policy makes it mandatory to investigate every incident or breach thoroughly so that the cause or extent of the issue can be determined. This allows them to take appropriate remedial action and to prevent future incidents.

Mitigating risks. Assessing the impact of the breach and the risk of future breaches is essential to develop and implement effective risk-mitigation and breach-prevention strategies. And this is one of the key requirements of the policy.

Training and spreading awareness. The NABIDH Incident and Breach Notification Policy necessitates training staff on identifying and reporting security incidents and breaches. This enhances the security awareness in the healthcare facility and prepares everyone to be vigilant and responsive.

Reporting and documenting. Keeping records of security incidents and responses helps in maintaining regulatory compliance. It also provides valuable insights for improving security.

Managing security incidents, mitigating risks, and preventing breaches are of utmost importance in the health sector. NABIDH Incident and Breach Notification Policy helps in creating a structured approach for these purposes and provides a comprehensive framework to protect health information. This policy enables timely and effective response to security incidents and breaches, builds patient trust and ensures NABIDH compliance.