HCPro.com: HIPAA Weekly Advisor

This e-mail newsletter delivers how-to advice and breaking news on HIPAA regulations each week. Stay informed on timely topics, security news and regulations, and analysis of proposed and final HIPAA rules that will ensure patient information security.

August 25, 2008 (Volume 9, Issue 34)

Q: Life insurance companies frequently request medical records from our family practice, and many now use electronic patient signatures.
Q: Life insurance companies frequently request medical records from our family practice, and many now use electronic patient signatures. We compare the actual patient signature with the electronic signature as part of our HIPAA security procedures. Are electronic signatures acceptable? How can we determine whether life insurance companies have implemented appropriate security practices to prevent the theft or inappropriate use of electronic signatures?

HIPAA takes its toll in Iowa
The Des Moines Register reported August 17 that the number of medical staff members fired from Iowa healthcare facilities on privacy breach charges is rising.

Unauthorized published account of gynecological surgery leads to civil claim
Among the 267 Iowans who have complained of HIPAA violations is a woman who seeks civil damages from the companies allegedly involved in a publicity scheme that resulted in the publication of a news article describing her gynecological problems in detail and identifying her by name, according to The Des Moines Register.

Indiana physician fined for discarding patient records in trash
Indiana state officials have fined J.B. O’Donnell, MD, of Bloomington, IN $1,250 for improperly discarding more than a dozen boxes full of patient records, according to an Associated Press (AP) article in the August 19 edition of the Chicago Tribune.

Other recently-published articles from HIPAA Weekly Advisor:

Oregon VA posts patient information on Web

Tip: Disaster preparedness

AHIMA provides ROI guidelines

Q. Do nurses violate HIPAA when they give patients injections or take their vital signs in public areas, such as hallways, instead of private areas?

Tip: Ensure that staff members’ cell phone use is compliant

Jacksonville hospital fires staff members for accessing NFL player’s medical records

NIST releases guidelines for cell phone and PDA security

AHA endorses tool to protect against medical identity theft

Q. One of our employees recently reported for jury duty. During the selection process, the employee took an oath to respond truthfully to questions.

Tip: Update and practice your disaster plan with staff members

AHIMA reiterates importance of protecting privacy and security of health records

OIG calls HIPAA security rule oversight and enforcement ineffective

Q. We have a new registration area with a counter where patients sit when registering and signing consent forms.

Tip: Staff training is critical in preventing identity theft and complying with FTC ’Red Flags’ rule

Health insurer looses data on 36,000 retirees, insufficient postage likely cause

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