Our world is turning into a huge digital platform. Be it education or any medical facilities. Everything is just a tap away. That is why protecting our online data is more important. Today we will focus on small healthcare environments. Small foundations often worry less about their data getting stolen. Whereas, the truth is that they are equally prone to data theft as any other big business. Small dental clinics, therapy places or any small medical clinic. All of them need to be very cautious when it comes protecting their patient’s details.
Cyber attackers often try to target these small places because of lack of digital protection. That is why every big or small business should ensure HIPAA compliance for small healthcare practices.
If you are also one of those small healthcare setup owner, then stick with us as we will explore the 10 best practices for the small healthcare environment patient privacy.
Protecting patient information in healthcare: A must for every healthcare environment
Patient data protection in healthcare should be a major concern. Healthcare data privacy compliance should be followed with dedication. But why the healthcare patient privacy best practices must be followed? The response to your questions is simple. Let us help you understand in details.
- Legal requirements: The first basic reason to protect customer data is the legal requirement. Healthcare institution are legally required to protect this data under HIPAA.
- Prevents cyber thefts: Patient data can contain many sensitive information about them. HIPAA privacy rules for small clinics allows them to protect it against any online theft or fraud.
- Protects you from financial loss: Data breach can be very expensive. If something or other is stolen from your data base then you may have to suffer lawsuit. Sometime law even demands to pay compensations. To avoid that, follow rules and protect patient data.
- Market reputation: Another major reason is to gain the patient trust. Which will help you maintain your market reputation.
HIPAA privacy rules for small clinics
Protecting patient information in healthcare environment is a crucial concern. Every small clinic should follow healthcare cybersecurity for small practices. These tiny adaptations at your clinic can bring a drastic change in all over environment. Here are 10 Best Practices for the Small Healthcare Environment Patient Privacy that you can follow:
- HIPAA privacy rules: Understand and update yourself with the Health insurance portability and accountability act. This act has made it compulsory for all the healthcare environments to protect the sensitive data regarding patients.
- Update your HIPAA policy documents: Only knowing and understanding the act’s requirement is not enough. You must keep your data and clinic information updated. These are the practical measures that need regular updating.
- Restrict sensitive data: In order to keep their data protected, you can limit the patient data to authorized staff only. This is one of the most effective method of protecting patient data.
- Work on your EHRs: Electronic health records need to be updated every now and then. They improve work quality but also increase the risk of data theft. That is why secure and update your EHRs regularly.
- Periodic security risk assessment: Performing a periodic assessment of your data security will help you understand the latest requirement. You can record an annual assessment to keep them aligned with HIPAA.
- Staff training: Another important aspect is to train your staff well under the guidelines of HIPAA. Human errors are most common ones. And a biggest threat to cyber security. That is why ensure that your staff understand the patient policies set under HIPAA and follows them diligently.
- Encrypt your data and device: Any device at your healthcare having patient records should be well encrypted. Keep a data backup by storing it in a cloud. Which should also be encrypted. Your workstations and any other work related device should be safely encrypted with limited access to staff.
- Wireless network configuration: You must use a wireless network that can be set up by a third party. These networks can help you isolate from the outside networks thus, making it more secure and protected. Make sure not share any passwords or network details with anyone other than your staff.
- Secure your medical devices: Medical clinics have various digital devices. Diagnostic machines and many other variety of monitors function on daily basis. Keep all of them protected as they can be a cause of cyber theft invitation.
- Be ‘incident’ ready: Even after multiple layers of protections, your system may sometimes collapse and fail. In such cases you should be ready with well documented response. Be swift in taking action and report the crime as soon as possible.
Final thoughts:
Healthcare cybersecurity for small practices should be taken into consideration without a doubt! Protecting patient information in healthcare is crucial in order to gain patient and market trust. HIPAA privacy rules for small clinics allows small clinics to follow simple rules of patient data. HIPAA compliance for small healthcare practices ensures that you stay within the guidelines of HIPAA and protect your patient’s sensitive details. Some of the common and easy healthcare patient privacy best practices are given above. Make sure that your health clinic is updated with all HIPAA policy rules. Following the rules may not be enough. That is why ensure that your staff is well trained. An annual assessment of policies should be conducted. With that, maintain audit of your policy records. And yes, do not forget to have a backup! An accident may happen, but your readiness shows your true leadership.
FAQ's:
Q: What does HIPAA stand for? What does it do?
HIPAA is simply known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In simple words, it a U.S federal law that ensure that patient’s private data is secured and fully confidential.
Q: Is it mandatory to follow patient data privacy polices?
Yes, it is mandatory to follow these policies. It is not only important for patient but also for a clinic. It may impact the market image and help you gain trust from your patients.
Q: How to handle a data breach at small clinic?
The best way to handle it is to be quick at reporting the matter. Ensure to have a backup saved in cloud. If any such incident happens with you then report the matter to cyber police without the delay.
