Protecting ePHI: A Change in Traditional PHI Security

HIPAA regulations demand organizations who qualify as covered entities to launch security measures that mitigate risk factors to a reasonable level. Stolen documents/goods and malfunctioning computers are common problems these days, therefore protecting ePHI is important. If your organization deals with Protected Health Information, HIPAA stresses considering careful measures that’ll mitigate security hazards.

How can one be sure that their patient data in the form of electronic health information is satisfactorily secured? There will always be a risk but, you can avoid it with these steps.

How can one be certain that their patient data in the form of electronic health information is satisfactorily secured? There will always be a risk involved but steps can be taken to minimize it and make things work better.

1) HIPAA Regulation

It prompted the creation of Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). As an extension of HIPAA regulations, ePHI covers all the demographic means necessary to identify a patient. The HIPAA Security Rule sets specific standards for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI. Electronically protected health information- ePHI is any protected health information (PHI) created, stored, transmitted, or received in any electronic format or media in HIPAA regulation.

2) Protection Against a Data Breach

Gone are the days where providers would carry around pagers to get reached. Cell phones have replaced pagers now. Although there is no official legislation dictating mobile phone usage, many organizations have taken the liberty of forming their in-house policy to protect against a data breach.

3) ePHI Risk Assessment

Healthcare organizations can start with risk assessment and evaluation to protect their ePHI. As technology continues to evolve, measures to identify the occurrence or likelihood of threats, threats identification, and potential impact of threat will continue to help organizations secure their ePHI.

4) Simple Rules To Protect Your Practice

These simple rules are the steps towards ensuring that your practice is appropriately protecting any ePHI. Keep in mind that HIPAA is not a barrier to good healthcare.

Employees having access to patient data may use or disclose information only on a “need to know” basis.
All ePHI must be secured and protected from any unauthorized breach, whether the data is at rest or in transit.
Provide the minimum necessary information when responding to information requests.
Do not use electronic media to copy or transmit information unless you are authorized to do so.
Do not disclose patient information with others unless it is administratively or clinically necessary to do so.
Implement technical security measures, such as encryption, to guard against access to ePHI that is unauthorized.

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5) Strict Guidelines to Protect Patient Information

The HIPAA regulation uses strict guidelines to protect patient information. It is vital for every healthcare organization to periodically review its policies and procedures to prevent any accidental invasion of patient privacy. ePHI is an actively evolving aspect of HIPAA and should be taken under serious consideration when implementing any new or updated infrastructure in the workspace. Physicians Revenue Group Inc. has a team of experts to guide you on securing patient information.