HIPAA Survey | Hospital Staffs Still Mostly Unaware of HIPAA Regulations | | Print | |
Brainlink International Advocates Extensive Education as the Critical First Step in HIPAA RemediationBrainlink staffers found that most organizations had not yet appointed a compliance officer, and that staff of HIPAA-critical departments in both Information Services and Administration were usually unfamiliar with the existence of the regulations. "Staffers asked us to explain HIPAA repeatedly and few had any idea what department would handle HIPAA issues once they were explained," says Raj Goel, Brainlink's CTO. "We were transferred all over some hospitals, trying to find staff we could talk to about their HIPAA plans. Our calls were directed everywhere from admitting to the security guard stations." When Brainlink staff were able to locate hospital employees familiar with HIPAA they were almost always in the hospitals' legal, risk management or information services departments. "While those hospitals where the legal and technical teams are familiar with HIPAA have a good start on meeting these regulations, facility-wide education is the critical first step to a successful remediation plan," says Goel. HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, has a number of objectives, including protecting the privacy of confidential patient information and streamlining the processes by which hospitals and health insurance companies interact. Because most hospital staff come into contact with patient information, it is important that HIPAA education be extended throughout the entire organization, both to ensure compliance and to make sure employees understand compliance's benefits to both the hospital and its patients. Once hospitals start exploring the HIPAA regulations many are struck by their complexity and the degree to which they affect every aspect of a hospital's operation. While Brainlink agrees the regulations are complex, the company discourages hospitals from viewing the regulations as an obstacle or nuisance. "The HIPAA regulations actually provide a great opportunity for hospitals to upgrade their technologies as well as their security," says Goel. "This can help improve business and reduce liabilities, while making sure an organization doesn't face the significant penalties of HIPAA non-compliance." "There are several steps to making a hospital HIPAA compliant. Our telephone survey underscored that hospitals must start with education, so that everyone on their team is aware of these regulations and understands their importance and usefulness. While the staff is being educated, we can see where their current policies and technologies fall short and develop a strategy for moving the hospital into compliance and keeping them that way." Brainlnk's HIPAA process emphasizes education at every step. The company begins by developing a gap assessment document outlining all the areas in which the hospital is not currently within compliance. That document is then the basis for a strategy session between Brainlink and key hospital staff. During the strategy session the team ascertains the best way to close gaps and the priority in which various problems should be addressed. Once this plan of action is developed, Brainlink begins the remediation process, targeting specific solutions to systems, procedures and policies. Afterwards, Brainlink remains involved to ensure that the hospital keeps up with changes to the HIPAA regulations and is vigilant in maintaining and enforcing their security improvements. Brainlink International is a multi-service technology firm specializing in providing innovative solutions to the healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial, retail and new media industries. With expertise in website and application development, intranet and extranet design and security implementations, Brainlink uses its structured service method to help its clients improve their businesses. A HIPAA specialist, Brainlink works with an organization's technical, legal and medical staff to efficiently bring them into compliance with these government regulations. For more information, contact Raj Goel at 917-685-7731 or visit www.brainlink.com. Raj Goel Brainlink International 917-685-7731 |