Why are paper records more secure than electronic medical records?

This statement is incorrect. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are generally more secure than paper records for several reasons:

Controlled access: Electronic medical records can be configured to enforce user authentication and authorization controls, restricting access to authorized personnel only.

Audit trails: EMR systems typically maintain audit logs tracking every access, modification, and deletion of patient records.

Encryption: EMR systems can encrypt data at rest and in transit, safeguarding against unauthorized access.

Security updates: Software updates and security patches can be promptly applied to EMR systems, keeping them protected against evolving security threats.

Data backup and disaster recovery: Electronic medical records can be easily backed up, and disaster recovery plans can be put in place to maintain the availability of patient data.

Conversely, paper records are susceptible to tampering, misplacement, physical theft, loss during transfer, and unauthorized access without an effective audit trail.