This post, Can law enforcement access patient information? Sometimes, first appeared on https://www.masslive.com/. Hospital emergency departments treat a diverse population that includes victims of abuse, individuals with substance abuse disorder and those who may have been involved in crime. Do situations arise where they are obligated to share patient information with law enforcement without patient authorization or cause them to initiate such cooperation in the interest of public and patient safety? Sometimes. That includes reporting evidence to law […]

This post, HIPAA and data sharing: Rethinking both for the Digital Age, first appeared on https://www.healthcareitnews.com/. By Corinne Smith Ironically, HIPAA was written at a time when most providers were on paper charts and submitting paper claims. It established a framework for protecting patient information and focused heavily on the way providers shared patient information. The subsequent HITECH (Health Information for Economic and Clinical Health) Act of 2009 focused on the promotion of electronic medical […]

This post, Complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule During Emergency Situations, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com/. The last thing on healthcare professionals’ minds in emergency situations is complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, but it should be a priority. Emergency situations and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, pandemics, or mass casualties, can quickly overwhelm healthcare systems. The last thing on people’s minds in those situations is complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Sometimes, but not always, […]

This post, Hospitals Fail at HIPAA Compliance Re Medical Records Requests, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com. Many hospitals failed at HIPAA compliance in response to simulated patients’ requests for medical records, according to a Yale study. October 09, 2018 – Many hospitals failed at HIPAA compliance in response to simulated patients’ requests for medical records, according to a study by Yale researchers published in the JAMA Network Open. The researchers surveyed 83 top-ranked US hospitals with independent medical […]

This post, Making Hospitals a Safe Place to Work – Preparedness for Hospital Staff, first appeared on http://nursing.advanceweb.com/. From workplace violence to bloodborne pathogen exposure, OSHA and other organizations are paying more attention to hospital safety protocols that go beyond awareness for patients. Dangers that exist in healthcare settings are typically thought of as hospital-acquired infections, biohazard exposure, incidence of medical errors and fall risks. These quagmires remain worthy of attention and protocols that promote safety, […]