Description

Texting is convenient and sometimes the best way to communicate in this new era of technology. Health practitioners and medical offices find that texting is far more flexible, timely, and effective compared to earlier forms of communications. Sometimes, telephone and email communications are inconvenient to use compared to texting through mobile phones.

But, for communication through texting, emailing or voice calling, a medical practitioner needs to be aware of the guidelines HIPAA provides for the prevention of data breaches. The interface to patients requires consent, even if it is for providing healthcare information or for payment.

The live conference will focus on differences between professional and patient communications, how they can benefit providers as well as patients, and what HIPAA requires for compliance concerning usage of new technologies like texting and mobile devices, so as one does not risk the PHI to data breaches or cyber-attacks.

It is vital to take proper steps to acknowledge and evaluate the risks of texting before integrating texting in your practice. It is even essential to review and comply with HIPAA guidelines to protect your PHI before using text messages for communication.

The session will describe the information security process, its working, and how it can help you to acknowledge the importance and risks of texting and emailing in your practice together with compliance with HIPAA.

Areas Covered in the Session:-

• The session will review the ways patients can use texting and mobile devices to communicate with providers and the ways providers can use texting to enable better patient care.
• We will acknowledge the risks of using texting and mobile devices, what can go wrong, and what can result when it does.
• You can find out about HIPAA requirements for access and patient preferences, as well as the requirements to protect PHI.
• The session will focus on how to use information security management process to evaluate risks and make decisions about protecting PHI and meeting patient needs.
• You can evaluate the policies and procedures you should have in place for dealing with texting and mobile devices, as well as any new technology.
• The conference will highlight methods for training and education to ensure your staff uses texting and mobile devices properly and do not risk exposure of PHI.
• The steps followed in the event of a breach of PHI will be covered.
• You can learn about the HIPAA audit and enforcement activities and what you need to do to survive a HIPAA audit.

Background:-

Mobile devices find a lot of applications in communication and in providing healthcare services. But there are specific HIPAA guidelines to be followed for communication and prevention of data breaches.

There is a risk of data leakage such as theft of mobile devices, cyber-attacks, loss of encryption, etc., if using mobile devices for communication. It is essential to acknowledge the methods to use communication technology appropriately, so there is no loss to data, and you can maintain your compliance with HIPAA.

The violation of HIPAA concerning texting can result in penalties such as fines up to $50,000 per day or more and years-long corrective action plans which can cost many times the financial settlement with HHS. 

Why Should You Attend?

The time is now to incorporate texting and mobile devices in your practice with the advent of technology. But before that, you need to acknowledge the HIPAA guidelines to comply with HIPAA for ensuring safe communication of data over mobile phones. With the increase in HIPAA audit and enforcement activities, you must protect the health information, including the documented policies and procedures for the training of your staff.

With technology, there are increased risks for data breaches which we must consider before the incorporation of texting. Any improper exposure of PHI against the rules may result in the data breach, which must be informed to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Additionally, the Telecommunications protections Act of 1991, along with HIPPA, impacts the use of texting in the Healthcare system limiting the use of cellphones for payment and healthcare services unless proper consent is obtained. Recently, there have been actions from the Joint Commission to approve or to withdraw the usage of texting in healthcare services.

The session will cover the requirements, pros, and cons of the usage of texting and emailing in healthcare services, and will also highlight the critical guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in their Special Publication 1800-1. We will also cover the measures to use this technology safely to prevent the breach of PHI under any circumstances. Additionally, we will also include the actions undertaken in case of any violation, so the compliance to HIPAA and protection of PHI can be assured.

Who Will Benefit?

Compliance Manager, HIPAA Privacy Officer, HIPAA Security Officer, CEO, Office Manager, HR Director, Privacy Officer, CIO, Records Release Manager, HIM Manager, Counsel