How To Make Sure Your Healthcare IT Services is HIPAA Compliant

Posted by A Comp on February 15th, 2017

Can healthcare IT services be HIPAA compliant?

Healthcare IT services can provide a wide array of solutions for medical data needs. However, all of this data is very sensitive, and it needs a way to be secure. After all, a client or a doctor may be accessing their data or their patient's data via an insecure network using a vulnerable device such as a cell phone. Some of the least secure methods of communication include sending messages via email, Skype, or SMS. Many doctors and their patients access their medical records via a mobile device these days.

What are the criteria for technology that transmits medical data? For technology to be considered HIPAA compliant it must meet the following criteria:

All medical information needs to be encrypted, whether it is stationary or in transit:

Encryption of data will protect any private medical information from being read or used. To have this work on a system-wide network. It's also important that all software be using the same operating system, and encryption/decryption software. That way, if the patient's sensitive medical information gets into the wrong hands, no one will be able to understand or use it.

Every medical personnel that uses and sends out private medical information must have a unique identifier so that their usage can be tracked.

The place where each pin is created must come from a central registry so that there is no confusion or doubling of pins. Any software that is used for accessing medical information via this pin must be able to be monitored. This is done for a couple of reasons. One reason is to make sure that authorized users are following secure messaging protocols. The other reason is to assess risk vulnerability for the system in question.

There must be an automatic logoff after a period of time if the user leaves to avoid unauthorized access to information.

Sometimes when a user leaves a computer or other type of technology open, even if only for a few seconds, that can be enough time for a prankster or malicious hacker to copy or destroy sensitive medical information or assume a false identity. Most commercial software can be logged off manually, but most users forget to use it. That is why HIPAA laws require it.

Are you wondering whether your medical software is HIPAA compliant? A good healthcare IT services company can test for any risks your software may pose, identify problem areas and present you with solutions to resolve any security issues. You can't afford to let your patient's medical information get in the wrong hands.