Is your phone putting your practice at risk?

Probably. If not, it is likely that your employee’s phones are putting your practice at risk.

Many healthcare providers use apps and mobile devices to improve patient care and reduce spending. The problem is that many messaging applications and services do not meet the required safeguards under HIPAA.

We can help your practice stay on top of the latest health care news, rules, regulations and trends.  Subscribe to stay current and up to date on important matters that will impact your practice.  (To subscribe to our blog ).

Popular apps and messaging can put your practice at risk of large fines from the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). It can also open you up to an increased risk of breaches of patient information.

Many commonly used apps do not follow the administrative, physical and technical safeguards that are required by HIPAA.

Why is this such a big deal?

It’s concerning because most healthcare employees are using messaging apps despite not having access to a HIPAA sanctioned app:

  • 51% of healthcare providers do not have an official mobile messaging platform;
  • 92% of the employees would use a company-wide messaging platform if it was implemented; and
  • 64% of healthcare employees think a mobile app messaging system would improve job communication.

So what can you do to implement a mobile app messaging system?

Start with your HIPAA risk assessment.

Make sure your inventory is complete so that you know what devices are used to communicate and discuss protected health information (“PHI”).

We help our clients complete their risk assessments to determine how to improve practice security AND determine how to improve office communications.

Finally, do your research. Make sure that you use an app that is compliant with the HIPAA privacy and security rules.

In our next blog post, we will keep you informed of related issues.  To get this important information delivered directly to your mail box, 

Do you need help staying current and compliant with the latest laws, rules and regulations?  We can help. To contact us about your practice’s risk assessment, PHI, messaging apps, or about your other legal needs:  CLICK HERE.

P.S. If you or your patients are interested in consumer healthcare issues, check out myhealthspin.com.

Related Posts

Categories

Recent Posts

Do I Need an Emergency List?
March 23, 2023
Breaking: New Self-Disclosure Policy
March 21, 2023
What is a Power of Attorney?
March 16, 2023
Can Your EHR Template Land You in Prison?
March 14, 2023
What Happens When You Don’t Fund Your Trust?
March 9, 2023

Subscribe

Enter your email to subscribe now and receive your FREE HIPAA Risk Assessment book!

An essential tool for all healthcare providers, Easy Guide to HIPAA Risk Assessments breaks down the requirements of HIPAA so you can successfully complete your required risk assessment.

 

Get it now for FREE (an $8.99 value!)

One more step! Please check your email to confirm your subscription and receive your FREE book!