Created in 1996 and mandated as federal legislation, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act) has been designed to prevent fraudulent behavior, and to maintain protection over the personal information of health care patients. Ultimately this act states that all health care organizations in the United States must follow certain security processes to guarantee sensitive information remains safe and secure from unauthorized exposure.
HIPAA conditions dictate that patient information from the past, present and future, must be secured at all times. Records that discuss personal matters like patient history, notes, forms, and daily logs, need to be properly handled and protected while in the professional hands of a healthcare institution or medical centre. Information cannot be shared by law unless permission is offered by the patient to do so.
Who Should be Aware of Regulations Set Out Under HIPAA?
HIPAA impacts the entire healthcare industry. Any healthcare facility that offers health services to U.S citizens are required by law to have strict procedures in place that assist in maintaining security over patient files. If your medical office were to receive an audit, implementing all HIPAA guidelines shows that the suitable steps were taken to prevent disclosure of personal information. Failing to have such measures in place, could communicate that personal information has or is, being observed by unauthorized persons. As stated, HIPAA regulations apply to hospitals, medical centers, chiropractors, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists and any other industries that retrieve and store personal health information.
Shred A Way Helps Customers Remain in Compliance with HIPAA
If you have medical documents that no longer required for health practices, these should be immediately disposed of in lockable bins before document shredding. This initial disposal step limits the risk of lost and stolen records substantially as once in there, documents are protected from prying eyes and/or being lost. Any patient records that viewable on one’s desk or cabinet, and those that are stored in unsecure filing cabinets could be at risk. Keep in mind that you have a legal obligation to keep your patients 100% protected in relation to their confidential records.
Make it your top priority that this commitment is executed each day; in doing so, you’ll save yourself the hassle and stress with legal matters that may arise down the road. Shred A Way will supply you with secure collection bins or carts that you are free to position throughout your medical office where you see fit. These bins will encourage and remind your staff to use them each and every time a file is disposed of, keeping private patient data out of the garbage or recycling bin.
We use our state-of-the-art shred equipment and technology, together with our skilled document shredding professionals to complete the job effectively. Our team has years of experience working with healthcare professionals, and we will do our best to keep you in compliance with HIPAA’s privacy standards.
When you partner with Shred A Way you are welcome to watch the document shredding process from beginning to end for additional peace of mind and reassurance. Furthermore, all clients are provided a Certificate of Destruction following every shred job, clearly specifying what, when and how, documents were shred, for your records and future reference. Trust in our professional team to look after your document security management, with services that are 100% reliable and meet the highest industry standards.
For additional information about the specifics of HIPAA and our secure paper shredding services, please don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to one of our representatives. We’ll also happily offer you any additional security tips for effective protection over patient information.
Call 706-577-9668 for additional information about our secure document shredding services.