HIPAA already has many procedures defined which, when followed correctly, will ensure data security. We generally cannot cover everything that needs to be done to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI). Being HIPAA compliant today doesn't guarantee that you will still be HIPAA compliant tomorrow. HIPAA rules and regulations are changing every day, as technology and security changes. Maintaining HIPAA compliance is an ongoing process and occasionally an external audit of the process or program will help you know your risk areas. Spending a little money now is better than spending a LOT of money in fines later.
Here below are the best ways to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI)
- Keep Abreast:
- Regular training and upgrading of your compliance officers
- Updating employees knowledge with fully, periodical, updated HIPAA workforce training program
- Security Policies:
- Always and at all stages, use multi-level authentication. Read more on Risk based or Adaptive Authentication and use them
- Access Policies:
- Fine grained access control should be used to give access and record who can see the data and perform actions
HIPAA - Texting & Emailing in 2018
With the introduction of smartphones, emails have become the even more accessible form of communication. In conjunction with email comes the issue of security and them being intercepted and read by unintended persons. Precautions and steps are to be taken at every step of the way. So for a Healthcare concern or a business associate, it's a key to maximize patient communication tools while protecting itself and the organization from government penalties and patient lawsuits.
Attend this Session
- Tracking Logs:
- Document and audit all actions and functions with immutable time stamps, the audit trails should be immutable and secure from tampering
- Technical Policies:
- Use encryption on the data at rest or in database
- While using a public cloud provider - use HIPAA compliant infrastructure
- While accessing data ensure using unique user IDs, an emergency access procedure, automatic log off and encryption and decryption
- Physical Barriers:
- Physical safeguards should at basic level include limited facility access and control, with authorized access in place
HIPAA Privacy Officer: Module 1
HIPAA Privacy Officer Training will uncover all HIPAA and HITECH expectations in protecting patient and member's right to privacy and the confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI) as you engage in treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO) services.
Attend this Session
- Business Associate:
- In case you are a Business Associate, inevitably you will be asked to conduct a security - or risk - assessment by a Covered Entity
- Technical Safeguard:
- Technical safeguard required for network, or transmission, security of HIPAA compliant hosts to protect against unauthorized public access of ePHI
HIPAA Privacy Officer: Module 2
HIPAA Privacy Officer Training will cover all ongoing activities of a Privacy Program related to the development, implementation, maintenance of, and adherence to the organization's policies and procedures covering the privacy of, and access to, patient health information in compliance with federal and state laws and the healthcare organization's information privacy practices.
Attend this Session
- Perform periodic penetration testing and fix issues and get external audit of the process or program will help you know your risk areas
- Your HIPAA program must be on -
going, reviewed periodically and constantly changing
