Nextgov

Most patients trust their doctors to keep their medical and financial information private, but one out of every two don't trust electronic health records to do the same, a new survey shows.

That concern might be well-founded: Roughly one-third of physician practices lack even basic anti-viral software or security firewalls, according to research by CDW Healthcare of Vernon Hills, Ill.

"The new era of EHR brings with it a whole new set of requirements for health-care organizations -- particularly in the area of IT security," Bob Rossi, vice president of CDW Healthcare, says in a news release.

The company surveyed 1,000 U.S. patients in January for the report, "Elevated Heart Rates: EHR and IT Security." The vast majority of respondents, 84 percent, said they hold the practice and individual staff members responsible for the security of their private information. About half -- 49 percent -- said they think their private information will be less secure because of EHRs.

"Right now, patients trust their doctors more than anyone else to protect their personal information," Rossi says. "But like any relationship based upon trust, even one breach can fundamentally change the dynamic."

Of the survey respondents whose private information has been compromised by any company or organization, 9 percent said they severed their relationship, 12 percent spent less money with the offending group, and 12 percent said they lost trust in the group.