The “year of the healthcare breach” saw many healthcare institutions enforcing stringent measures to eliminate the possibility of data breaches. It goes without saying that the security of a patient’s data should be highly regarded in every healthcare facility. The responsibility for ensuring that the data is not vulnerable is a complex matter that requires intricate strategies to meet regulatory requirements.
HIPAA is an acronym for Health Information Portability and Protection Act. It basically states that protected health information (PHI) should be confidential, protected and accessible to the patient. It enforces the integrity of a healthcare’s security measures towards the protection of this sensitive information. The rules further stipulate that any entity that handles PHI should create and implement a network, physical as well as procedural security measures to ensure compliance.
To be able to address the risk to your healthcare facility comprehensively and comply with the privacy regulations, here are three important things you should know about HIPAA compliance healthcare IT:
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HIPAA Security Breaches are on the Rise
Experts state that cybersecurity has significantly risen over the past few years with the transition to a paperless era. In the healthcare industry, this continues to be prevalent – even with the enforcement of HIPAA rules.
It is also important to note that many of the breaches are achieved through hacking. Studies show that a large number of the worst breaches were a result of hacking. You can train your staff to take some measures in their daily operations that reduce the possibility of hacking. This includes turning on firewalls, using complex passwords and refraining from public wireless access among others.
To avoid the violations that compromise your HIPAA compliance, it is important to seek HIPAA compliant Healthcare IT Solutions that are dependable and trustworthy.
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Display the PHI Notice Online
It is safe to say that every healthcare facility has a website that is accessible to their clients and other interested parties. HIPAA stipulates that you should make your protected health information notice visible to all your site’s visitors.
Patients who are looking for a viable healthcare institution often look for the indication of HIPAA compliance before booking an appointment on the website. Ensure that this information is displayed to avoid petty HIPAA violations.
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All Your Associates should be HIPPA Compliant
A common misconception among healthcare professionals is that it is only medical practices, health plan organizations and healthcare clearinghouses that require HIPAA compliance. It is important to note that every business that is able to access PHI electronically is required to fulfil HIPAA regulatory requirements.
The law firms, accounting companies, and any other third party vendor, as well as partners who access PHI files, need to ascertain that they will disclose and maintain the integrity of the records. They can only do this by being HIPAA compliant.
You will need to confirm that this is the case to avoid facing the repercussions of compromising your patient’s personal information. It also helps to occasionally run risk assessment tests to ensure that your security protocol aligns with the recommended standards.
