IKE’S HEALTH NET

If you have been around the military for any period of time, you have probably heard the term OPSEC. OPSEC stands for Operations Security and simply means protecting information about the organization, i.e. “critical information,” from our adversaries.

Practicing good OPSEC helps protect our operations – planned, in progress, and completed. While it is easy to see how OPSEC can be overlooked or underrated in other parts of our lives, at Eisenhower we understand the importance of practicing excellent OPSEC to protect the privacy, health and well-being of our patients. The great thing about OPSEC is that it can be easily practiced in all aspects of our lives in order to maintain our privacy and protect our personal information.

At Eisenhower we protect our critical information in many different ways. All of our personnel are trained up on the importance of patient privacy and the protection of health information. We understand that if a patient’s information is not handled properly it can affect their treatment plan as well as their financial well-being. One of the number one ways to ensure good OPSEC is through training. When all personnel in an organization are aware of the proper procedures required to handle and protect information, they are much more capable of practicing good OPSEC while performing their day to day functions.

Brig. Gen. W. Bryan Gamble DDEAMC Commanding General Our staff is trained on the proper disposal and protection of documents that contain patient data such as name, social security number, date of birth, insurance information and medical treatment plans. Our Information Management Division ensures the safety and security of all electronic media used in the medical center. They not only provide first-rate protection for our networks and databases, but they also ensure that any electronic media that is turned in for disposal is properly wiped of all sensitive information.

Eisenhower staff also understands the importance of not discussing patient information in public areas, such as elevators and hallways. We are aware of how to maintain a safe and professional workplace by only discussing patient information with those that have a need to know.

You can practice OPSEC in your daily life in order to protect yourself and your family. One of the principal and most publicized threats to your personal privacy today is the internet. You can make sure that your information is protected by monitoring your family’s use of social networking sites and utilizing anti-virus software on your personal computer. Simply put, if you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them the information, then do not post it online. You can also protect yourself at home by using a shredder to destroy sensitive documents such as bank statements, bills, etc. You can protect your medical information at home by removing labels from your medicine bottles prior to disposing of them and storing any personal medical records in a secure location.

Practicing good OPSEC at work and home does require some small changes to our daily routines and a little extra thought. However, in the long run, we are not only protecting ourselves but also our families, our military and our nation as a whole.

Comments, questions or article suggestions? E-mail us at: ikeshealthnet@amedd.army.mil

November Health Observances

Warrior Care Month,
Diabetes Awareness
Month, Alzheimer's
Disease Awareness,
Lung Cancer Awareness

Upcoming Events

Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal in Ike’s Cafe! Thanksgiving Day Celebration

Nov. 26, Ike’s Cafe 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EAMC 3rd Floor

Sumptuous Menu Open to Everyone Tickets required

Ticket Prices:

$7.35 adults and children over 10 yrs

$5.40 E-4 and below and children 2 - 10 yrs Meal card holders FREE

Call 706-787-2145 or 706-787-3082 for ticket information