HIMSS Survey Shows Security a Dark Cloud

Other than a major focus on Meaningful Use and clinical systems, security concerns are a top priority, with one third of respondents (34 percent) saying an internal breach was their top worry in that area, and nearly one-quarter (23 percent) said their organization had a security breach in the past year, according to 21^st Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey. Thirty percent said their major security concern was compliance with HIPAA security regulations and CMS security audits.

Other findings include:

• Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) said lack of adequate financial resources/lack of budget would be the most significant barrier to successful healthcare IT implementation at their organization.
• Nearly half (43 percent) of respondents said their organization participates in a HIE: 37 percent in their area and 7 percent in the state-mandated HIE.

The self-administered Web-based Leadership Survey was completed by 398 participants between Dec. 14 and Jan. 29. Those surveyed represent nearly 270 healthcare organizations and 700 hospitals throughout the country. The average bed size of the hospitals was 235 and the median bed size was 128. Eighty five percent of respondents said they are senior IT executives, and 66 percent are corporate CIOs.