Health Information Safety: Keeping Your Personal Health Information Safe and Secure
As a patient at our pharmacy, your health is our priority. Another priority of ours? The privacy and security of our patients’ health information.
The Importance of Health Information Safety
Keeping personal information secure is no longer as simple as keeping your files in a lock box. With technology being a go-to way to store and access information, it is easier than ever before for your data to be stolen, leaked, and misused. This can lead to negative consequences like:
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Medical identity theft. Identity thieves can try to use your personal and/or insurance information to get things like medical treatments, prescription drugs, or surgery.¹
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Job discrimination. Employers having access to health information can influence hiring and firing decisions.¹
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Legal disputes. Some health information can affect the outcome of a legal dispute.¹
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Victim targeting. Certain types of patients can be targeted by scammers based on their medical diagnosis.¹
Because of these potential consequences, our government put in place the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This includes Privacy and Security Rules to protect individually identifiable health information. Entities subject to the Privacy Rule include:
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Healthcare providers. Every healthcare provider, regardless of size of practice, who electronically transmits health information in connection with certain transactions.²
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Health plans. Including health, dental, vision, and prescription drug insurers.²
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Healthcare clearinghouses. An institution that electronically transmits different types of medical claims data to insurance carriers.²
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Business associates: Organizations using or disclosing individually identifiable health information to perform or provide functions, activities, or services for a covered entity.²
It is important to note that not all organizations are covered by HIPAA. For example, when you store health information in a mobile app, on a mobile device, or in a personal health record that is not offered through a healthcare provider or plan, your health information is not protected by HIPAA.³ This can look like wearable technology like FitBit or Apple Watch and Health apps like Noom.
What Health Information is Protected by HIPAA?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects your health information by placing some limits on how it may be used and shared. Individually identifiable health information is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule. This is information that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition; to the provision of health care to you; or to past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to you.⁴ This also includes information that identifies you or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify you. Examples of individually identifiable health information include:
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Information your doctors, nurses, and other health care providers put in your medical record⁴
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Conversations your doctor has about your care or treatment with nurses and others⁴
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Information about you in your health insurer’s computer system⁴
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Billing information about you at your clinic⁴
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Information used by companies or individuals that provide data, billing, or other services to doctors, hospitals, health insurers, and other healthcare care organizations.⁴
Protect Your Health Information: Dos and Don’ts
While HIPAA exists to protect health information held by health care providers, health insurers, and more, it is important to take precautions to protect the health information that you control.
DO secure your information with passwords. Use a strong password and update it often. A strong password should be at least sixteen characters, random, and unique from other account passwords.⁵
DON’T post health information online. Never post anything online that you do not want to be made public and never assume that an online public platform is private or secure. Information posted online is permanent.
DO use multi-factor authentication. Passwords can be vulnerable to hackers, so further protect your accounts by setting up multi-factor authentication. Common methods of authentication include a one-time passcode sent via text message, email, or authenticator app, security questions, face ID, and more.⁶
DON’T give your personal information to unverified callers. There are identity thieves who try to use personal health information to receive medical treatment, prescription drugs, and more. Verify the legitimacy of the caller before sharing your information.⁷
DO avoid using public wi-fi networks. Most free public wi-fi networks lack security measures, meaning, others using the same network could easily access your online activity. Avoid using public networks when accessing personal information or entering payment information.
DON’T fall for phishing attempts. Never click on unfamiliar links sent via email or text. Clicking on phishing links can result in your device being infected with malware and make your information vulnerable.
DO shred paper documents that contain personal health information. Shredding not only frees up space and helps the environment, it can also prevent unwanted parties from getting a look at your personal information.
DON’T use apps and websites without doing research. Use known and reputable apps and websites, especially those that involve sharing personal information. Read the terms of service and privacy notice to verify that the app/website will only perform the functions you approve.⁷
Privacy and security of our patients’ health information is a top priority. If you believe your information was used or shared in a way that is not allowed under the HIPAA Rules, or if you were not able to exercise your rights, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or your State’s Attorneys General Office.
Sources:
1. https://www.jotform.com/what-is-hipaa-compliance/
2. https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html
4. https://www.healthit.gov/topic/your-health-information-security
5. https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords
6. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/use-two-factor-authentication-protect-your-accounts
Drugs and Alcohol: A Bad Combination
It’s been a long day, you’re ready to go home and have some drinks to unwind when you remember you’re taking an antibiotic. The bottle says, “Do not consume alcohol while taking this medication,” but a few drinks should be fine, right? Wrong – here’s why!
Why is combining drugs and alcohol a bad idea?
It may come as a surprise for some, but drinking alcohol while taking medications (prescription or over-the-counter) can lead to potentially severe side effects and even death. We often forget that alcohol is in fact a drug, and if mixed with other drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, headaches, fainting, loss of coordination, and more. ¹
Not only can mixing drugs and alcohol have a negative effect on your body, but it can also interfere with how the medication works. Alcohol can cause your medication to have several different effects: ²
- The medication may become less effective.
- The concentration of the medication may reach toxic levels.
- Side effects may worsen.
- New symptoms may arise.
Talk to your pharmacist about the potential side effects of mixing your medication with alcohol, even if the label does not come with a warning. It’s important to be honest with your pharmacist about your drinking habits so they can accurately judge any risks.
What can happen if I mix drugs and alcohol?
Mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects. Some common symptoms include: ²
- Blood pressure changes
- Mood and behavior changes
- Dizziness and fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Seizures
More serious complications caused by mixing alcohol with medications are liver damage, heart problems, internal bleeding, and could lead to an overdose or alcohol poisoning. ³
Drug and alcohol interactions may depend on the type of medicine, the amount of alcohol, and your genetics, sex, and overall health. ³ Often, older adults, women, and children and teens may experience more severe side effects of alcohol and drug interactions for a number of reasons. ⁴
Older Adults
Alcohol does not break down as quickly in older adults and their body’s water to fat ratio is decreased. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 78% of surveyed adults over the age of 65 were current drinkers and also taking a medication that could interact with alcohol. ⁴ This can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and a greater risk of falls and injury.
Women
Women may be at greater risk of side effects from mixing alcohol and drugs than men due to having a lower percent of body water compared to body fat. This causes alcohol to break down slower, resulting in a higher blood alcohol level after drinking the same amount as a man. This increases the risk of experiencing negative side effects.
Children and Teens
While seemingly at a lower risk for drug interactions with alcohol, it is still a concern. Alcohol abuse in youth can cause life-long complications and can especially be a risk when mixing alcohol with ADHD medications.
Another concern is how the younger population is consuming their alcohol. Energy drinks are a common alcohol mixer among college students, which can lower the feeling of intoxication resulting in excessive drinking and alcohol-related injuries. ⁴
What medications can interact with alcohol?
Many medications, including over-the-counter products, can vary in severity of symptoms. The most common medicines that react with alcohol include: ³
- Opioids
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotic medicines
- Sleeping aids
- Cold and flu medicines
- Antibiotics
- Pain medicines
Sedative medications, including those that help you sleep, can cause your breathing to slow or stop when consumed with alcohol. This can be extremely dangerous and is a common cause of death. ² Certain medications including painkillers, allergy relief, and cold medicine may contain multiple ingredients that can react with alcohol. ¹ Some medications can even contain up to 10 percent alcohol, such as cough syrup and laxatives.
If you are unsure of your medication ingredients, talk to your pharmacist to get a better understanding of what your medicine contains. Most over-the-counter medications will have sections on the label listing various things such as active ingredients, purpose, uses, warnings, directions, other information, inactive ingredients, and can even include a phone number to call with questions. ⁵
Below are symptoms or disorders that are commonly remedied with medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) and the possible drug alcohol interaction side effects. ¹
- Allergies, cold and flu. Common side effects of consuming alcohol while taking these medications may include drowsiness, dizziness, and increased risk for overdose. Many cold medications already have alcohol in them, so combining that with drinking alcohol can induce severe drowsiness.
- Anxiety. Taking anxiety medications may heighten your anxiety symptoms if mixed with alcohol. Some side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, unusual behavior, memory problems, and impaired motor control.
- ADHD. When mixed with alcohol, many ADHD medications can have contradicting side effects including impaired concentration, increased risk for heart problems, liver damage, dizziness, and drowsiness.
- Heartburn. Rapid heartbeat, increased alcohol effect, and sudden changes in blood pressure are just a few side effects of consuming alcohol while taking heartburn medications.
- High cholesterol. A few side effects of mixing alcohol with high cholesterol medications include liver damage, increased flushing and itching, and increased stomach bleeding.
- Infection. Alcohol should not be consumed if you are taking an antibiotic. Not only can the alcohol reduce the effect of the antibiotic, but it can also result in a fast heartbeat, stomach pain, vomiting, liver damage, and more.
- Pain. Common painkillers, when mixed with alcohol, may result in upset stomach, ulcers, liver damage, and rapid heartbeat.
- Sleep issues. Mixing alcohol with sleeping aids can result in increased drowsiness, slow breathing, impaired motor control, memory problems, and much more.
If you are currently taking any type of medication, even an over-the-counter cold medicine, talk with your pharmacist about the potential interactions your medication may have with alcohol. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline for free, confidential help at 1-800-662-4357, or visit samhsa.gov for more information on how to get help.
Sources:
² https://www.verywellmind.com/mixing-alcohol-and-medication-harmful-interactions-67888
³ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines-and-alcohol
⁴ https://www.drugs.com/article/medications-and-alcohol.html
⁵ https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-drugs/drug-interactions-what-you-should-know
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