The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US law that protects your medical information. It covers how you receive and use your health information. There are some violations of HIPAA that can result in penalties. HIPAA compliance for your business can mean decreased legal risk and increased security for your patients. You can use various HIPAA compliance software to help you stay compliant (For more information visit https://compliancy-group.com/hipaa-compliance-software/). Here are the most common HIPAA violations you should be aware of:
Keeping Unsecured Records:
Keeping unsecured records can be a HIPAA violation. This means that your organization could be in trouble if someone were to discover private information, such as patient records, that was not properly secured. It is important to take measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, both electronically and physically. One way to do this is by ensuring that all electronic devices connected to the network are password-protected and that any paper records are kept in a secure location.
Unencrypted Data:
Another most common HIPAA violations involve the mishandling of unencrypted health information. This can include failing to properly secure health information, transmitting health information without proper encryption, and not properly disposing of medical records that contain personal health information. If your organization does not encrypt data that is sent over the internet, this could be a HIPPA violation. By not encrypting data, you are opening yourself up to potential cyber-attacks. Damage from a cyber-attack can be devastating, and it is important to take steps to protect your organization from such an event. By encrypting data, you can ensure that your information is safe from hackers.
3. Hacking:
Hacking is another common HIPAA violator. By hacking into electronic systems, unauthorized individuals can access your data and even sabotage your computer network. If your organization does not have the proper cyber-security measures in place, this could be a HIPPA violation. By protecting your computer network, you can reduce the likelihood of a cyber-attack and ensure that your data is safe from theft. Hacking can include unauthorized access to electronic data, compromising the security of a network, or stealing confidential information. By protecting your information from hacking, you can ensure that your organization remains safe from attack.
4. Loss or Theft Of Devices:
If your devices are lost or stolen, it could be a HIPAA violation. By handling PHI on devices that are not properly protected, you open yourself up to potential data breaches. By encrypting PHI on devices, you can help protect your data from loss or theft. If your devices are lost or stolen, you can contact the company for which the PHI was collected to have the information removed from their systems. By encrypting PHI, you can reduce the likelihood of a data breach and protect your personal information from unauthorized access.
5. Unauthorized Access:
Unauthorized access is another common HIPAA violation. By granting unauthorized individuals access to your systems, you run the risk of exposing your PHI. If an unauthorized individual gains access to your computer system and view your PHI, this could be a HIPAA violation. By encrypting PHI, you can help protect your information from unauthorized access and reduce the risk of a data breach. Encrypting PHI also helps protect against cyber-attacks in which hackers gain access to confidential information through compromised systems.
6. Lack Of Employee Training:
Lack of employee training is one of the most common HIPAA violations. Employees who are not properly trained about HIPAA and its provisions can improperly access or share protected health information. This can pose a risk to patient’s privacy and safety. To help prevent this from happening, businesses should make sure that all employees are thoroughly trained on the basics of HIPAA. This includes understanding how to protect their personal information, as well as how to report any breaches or suspected breaches. By taking these simple steps, companies can ensure that their patients’ privacy remains intact.
7. Employee Dishonesty:
Employees who share confidential information without your permission or who try to access your PHI without your consent can violate HIPAA. If you find out that an employee has been engaging in these types of activities, you should take appropriate action. This could include disciplinary action, filing a complaint with the government agency responsible for enforcing HIPAA or even contacting the police. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your patient’s privacy is protected and that any potential breaches are addressed quickly and effectively.
Final Thoughts:
There are a number of common HIPAA violations that healthcare providers should be aware of in order to maintain patient privacy and protect their medical records. Improper use of personal identification numbers (PINs), unauthorized access to electronic health records (EHRs), and failure to properly safeguard protected health information (PHI) all pose serious risks to patients’ privacy and safety. HIPAA is an important law that protects your medical information. There are some violations of HIPAA that can result in penalties. It is important to know what these are and to take steps to protect your health information.
