The CHEO Research Institute has developed a secure protocol to protect patient identity while facilitating the sharing of health data for public health purposes. The new system enables providers to report diseases to authorities without fear of retribution, promoting accurate disease control and outbreak detection.
A recent study found that passwords used to protect sensitive files in clinical trials are poorly constructed and easily cracked, putting personal health information at risk. The study recommends enforcing strong passwords and encryption algorithms to secure file sharing practices.
A new method for measuring privacy risk from small geographic areas has been developed, allowing Canadians to manage their location-based data effectively. The study shows that by protecting only those living in small geographic areas, more information can be shared while maintaining privacy risks.
A recent study found that thousands of North American homes with peer-to-peer file-sharing software are vulnerable to data breaches, putting sensitive health information at risk. The study reveals that even simple search terms can expose private files containing personal and financial data.
According to a study by Dr. Khaled El Emam, approximately 41% of Canadian clinical trials have moved away from paper records, with industry-funded trials being more likely to use electronic data capture tools. Pediatric trials also showed increased adoption of technology.
A novel K-anonymity algorithm ensures patient confidentiality in health records, facilitating access to a larger number of records. This method safeguards against biases introduced by individual consent requirements in health research.
A recent study by Dr. Khaled El Emam found that hospital pharmacy prescription records can easily re-identify patients, posing a significant privacy risk. The study demonstrates a methodology for de-identifying patient data to maintain patient confidentiality.
A team from CHEO Research Institute used genetic engineering to remove the Lkb1 gene from beta cells of laboratory mice, resulting in increased insulin production and storage. The improved function lasted at least five months, even on a high-fat diet.