HIPAA compliance is a big deal, and when you run a healthcare facility, every part needs to be fully covered by HIPAA regulations. SMBs are different from high-end corporate companies in many ways, but when it comes to HIPAA compliance, the business size does not matter. This policy was initially enacted in 1996 and contended with the privacy of any patient. Whether your facility caters to a tiny community sector or is a regionally known entity, there are some things you will want to know about HIPAA compliance. Here are some things to keep in mind.
HIPAA for Facility and Online Data Transfers
Patients move in and out of your healthcare facility during operational hours. Apart from hospitals, which remain operational 24 hours a day, most healthcare facilities have limited availability, but that is only for the physical location. Their website operates 24 hours a day, meaning clients, doctors, patients, and administrators often transfer information outside business hours.
HIPAA compliance stipulations are not just based on your physical location but also on your website. Information is shared daily, and securing your website with top-rated web hosting services is the best way to remain HIPPA compliant on all fronts. Low price web hosting services are available, but to take advantage of all HIPPA standards, you should invest in domain and web hosting services that meet strict HIPAA compliance standards. Just average will not do when talking about optimal security.
HIPAA Training May Be Required
HIPAA standards are easy enough for a healthcare facility administration to understand. Still, depending on the size and scope of your healthcare facility, individual staff might be required to undergo specific HIPAA training. HR staff tend to be at most risk of HIPAA training, so if you have an HR department, and most healthcare facilities do these days, ensure each team member is covered with proper HIPAA training and maintenance of that training as stipulations are updated. Documentation of training must be kept on file.
A Priority for the IT Department
Your IT department will be an essential part of your ability to remain HIPAA compliant. IT departments are invested in the safety and security of the website and all who have access to the site. Invest in an IT team that believes and understands HIPAA regulations for healthcare facilities, not just one that understands various aspects of the IT industry. Facilities that maintain HIPAA regulations and high standards within their IT department fare better at preventing a potential data breach than those who merely practice standardized IT protocols.
Require Insurance Agencies to Comply with HIPAA Regulations
Securing your facility, website, and personal information of all employees, patients, and administrators within your facility is excellent. However, your reach is far more than just within the facility and with the clients you service. Your employees who receive health insurance from an outside source need to keep their information safe as well. Ensure that all companies connected with your healthcare facilities comply with HIPAA regulations as well. Data breaches are often connected with outside entities, and your healthcare facility cannot afford to be connected with an outside business that has a breach due to non-HIPAA compliance.
Align your business with those who are already invested in HIPAA compliance regulations to help safeguard your facility against a breach and keep your valued employees, administrators, and patients safe at all times.
Encryption is Essential
Data is shared with other healthcare facilities, patients, vendors, and a variety of other entities. Encrypted files are among the most secure way to send and receive information from one entity to another. HIPAA regulations have high standards for how information can be shared among facilities and across the cloud, so if your healthcare facility is not up to date with encryption technology, consult your domain and web hosting services site for more information.
HIPAA compliance is essential these days for any size business sending and receiving sensitive data. You never want to diminish your ability to provide essential healthcare services with confidence to your patients, and HIPAA regulations help you facilitate ultimate confidence in your facility. Data breaches can happen fast and potentially ruin your reputation, so never leave anything to chance and always ensure that your healthcare facility remains HIPAA compliant at all times.
