What are the best ways to collect and store patient data?

I guess the answer to this question will not be the “best” in strict sense of the word as each method is suited for a specific purpose. One can obviously argue that wearables have reduced margin of error, though it can only track limited indicators. Yet, other sources of health data exist like PROMs, population surveys, point of care tools like EMRs/EHRs, labs, and pharmacies amongst others. All sources are important though to certain degrees.

There are pros and cons for each option. But what we want to avoid is a complex setup that is both difficult to access and manage. Factors such as the organization's size, allotted budget, technical expertise and regulatory requirements should be thoroughly considered. Because of the pros and cons of each storage option, many healthcare institutions opt for a combination to create a secure data storage strategy that is the best fit for them.

Given the critical nature of healthcare and the interdependent nature of historical data for service delivery, stakeholders in low and middle income environment should do well to consider some form of hybrid. But do not go 100% cloud (especially in Africa). I know this is a controversial topic and will likely receive a lot of backlash. Yet, consider this an advice from a retired power systems engineer who worked briefly at an internet service provider’s before dabbling into digital health and then interoperability.

In Bezug auf multi-centric, international Clinical Trials und komplexes Datenmanagement im Krankenhaus sehen wir die ersten ernstzunehmenden Ansätze von Zero Trust. Ich denke dieses Konzept wird sich in den nächsten Jahren durchsetzen.

To my point earlier about preference to preferred data storage mechanism. On-premise or cloud. I must add that while on-premise gives greater control, it is harder to deploy and manage. If the interest is to deploy and build capacity, then on-premise, if the interest is speed to market, then cloud is the way. Cloud platforms have security pre-configured that can be bootstrapped for a small fee. Indeed the risks or patient leaks are higher for on-premise especially if they are misconfigured. Yet, using the cloud is not full-proof guarantee of safety. The recent IBM data leak is a chilling reminder. Also, popular cloud providers come with HIPPA compliance pre-packaged.

Maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data is essential to comply with regulations like the HIPAA. Regular staff training regarding data security protocols is also necessary to prevent or minimize human errors. This ensures that everyone handling patient information is updated and follows the best practices. The security protocols and software should also be regularly updated to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.