HIPAA compliance remains important in 2023. In fact, as technology develops and healthcare reforms, it is more important than ever. Although HIPAA may need to be updated to reflect a changing reality, the fundamentals remain the same.
Since 1996, four presidents and fourteen congresses have altered, enlarged, and reaffirmed HIPAA in response to technological advancements and changes in the healthcare industry. Politics has no place in HIPAA Law.
In this article we will discuss about the emerging trends and technologies and the future of HIPAA law, so continue reading.
HIPAA And Health Information Technology
With the introduction of electronic healthcare records (EHR), every healthcare organization needs to be aware of the relationship between security and health information.
Several of the requirements for physical security measures, technology security, and organizational standards required to maintain compliance are outlined in the HIPAA Security Regulation.
Tips: Just because you employ a cloud-based EHR does not automatically make you HIPAA compliant. Even while the EHR may be compliant in and of itself, there are numerous more organizational levels that need to be examined.
The HIPAA Security Regulation has three key provisions that apply to technology:
To prevent access by someone without credentials, any technology that saves PHI must automatically log out after a specific amount of time.
Every person with access to PHI needs a special login that can be audited based on usage.
PHI needs to be encrypted.
The possibility for new technology to break these rules must be examined, but this process is hampered by how quickly firms adopt new technology. It is vital to look into the risk that PHI could be accessed via modern technology.
Associated Security Risks With New Technology
Every time new technology is applied to the healthcare industry, there are new challenges to be faced, and frequently organizations unintentionally leave their patients vulnerable.
By granting hackers access to an otherwise secure system, using technology or software before it has been evaluated for its security concerns might result in HIPAA violations.
Recalling our prior instances of technology dangers, businesses that allow employees to work remotely or that have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy create a security concern in the healthcare industry.
These mobile devices might pose a security risk if they are utilized to collect data from patients and communicate with the EHR of a healthcare provider.
Security lapses can occur when healthcare workers or patients use personal devices at home and then on secure channels there. Many healthcare professionals feel at ease utilizing their own gadgets in a professional setting.
On their smartphone, they will place calls, send messages, and exchange information. When a worker signs onto a weak Wi-Fi source after leaving the safe network of their building, that information may be exposed or compromised.
Also, these are actual circumstances. This type of HIPAA breach occurs daily throughout the healthcare system.