Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Advanced Officer Certification Practice Exam

What should be done when a healthcare facility experiences a significant security breach?

1. File a report and do nothing else

2. Conduct a thorough incident review

3. Ignore it and hope it doesn't happen again

4. Limit communication regarding the breach

The correct answer is: Conduct a thorough incident review

Conducting a thorough incident review is essential following a significant security breach in a healthcare facility. This process involves systematically analyzing the occurrence to understand how the breach happened, assessing the impact on affected individuals, and identifying vulnerabilities within the existing security protocols. The incident review allows the facility to determine whether there were any procedural failures, human errors, or flaws within the technology that contributed to the breach. This analysis is crucial for reinforcing security measures and preventing future incidents. Additionally, it serves to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, as many jurisdictions mandate that organizations investigate and report security breaches comprehensively. Engaging in an incident review also fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the organization, ensuring that staff are trained to recognize and respond to security threats more effectively in the future. Ultimately, this proactive approach helps protect patient data, maintain trust between the facility and its patients, and safeguard the facility's reputation.