Monthly Archives: July 2009
How far will California’s stricter privacy laws make a difference?
California’s state health data protection laws are in fact tougher than US federal HIPAA law and also the enforcement on the state-level is tougher too. Hospitals are generally fined in the pair of six-figure which is on the higher side as compared to HIPAA. It is also suggested that states across the US are going … Continue reading
HITRUST seeks Government certification and clearance
It has been informed by the Health Information Trust Alliance that it is beginning the certification phase of its Common Security Framework (CSF) for hospital computer systems and networks. As hospitals move to EHRs for compliance of HIPAA, HITRUST ensures both privacy and security for health IT systems. HITRUST CEO Daniel Nutkis said that they … Continue reading
25 more health care organizations opt for EdgeWall NAC appliance
Now, 25 more health care organizations are taking the service of Vernier Networks of Mountain View, Calif., a supplier of network access control (NAC) appliances, to secure their networks from unauthorized access, worms, viruses and other intrusions, and limiting access to electronic medical records. The EdgeWall NAC appliance, apart from laptops, desktops and other endpoints, … Continue reading
MJ’s medical history is being disclosed in violation of HIPAA
The medical world surrounding Michael Jackson involved live-in cardiologists, traveling anesthesiologists, home IV poles and stockpiles of drugs that would be amazing for any ordinary human being and now after his death the way his medical history is being unearthed looks like some kind of a criminal investigation. Last week, Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson’s … Continue reading
HITECH/HIPAA compliance and its timelines
If you would like to know some of the relevant timelines for HITECH/HIPAA compliance, take a look below for quick reference. HITECH enactment (February 17, 2009) Tiered civil penalties based on the nature of HIPAA violations, up to $50,000 per violation and an annual maximum of $1.5 million (Section 13410). 180 days post enactment (August … Continue reading
What has HIPAA in store for you when you switch jobs?
Times are tough and everyone with jobs is feeling that pang of uncertainty. It is the call of time that you switch jobs and look for those options which give you more security. The law gives you the desired health insurance coverage protection in case of switching between jobs with the Health Insurance Portability and … Continue reading
Opt for HIPAA compliant Medical Transcription Companies
HIPAA compliant medical transcription companies are the ones which offer quality-oriented digital medical transcription and other services to hospitals, physicians, outpatient clinics and healthcare facilities dealing in various specialties including orthopedics, pediatrics, gastroenterology, radiology, cardiology and so on. Medical transcription companies offer transcription of history and physical reports, ER reports, clinic notes, follow up notes, … Continue reading
HIPAA waivers in case of declared emergency or disasters
After hurricane Katrina and Rita, DHHS has reviewed its guidance so that the families searching for loved ones in disasters like hurricane, tornado, earthquake or unnatural disasters, do not have to face HIPAA privacy roadblocks. If an emergency or disaster is declared by the President or if a public health emergency is declared by the … Continue reading
Distinction between HIPAA, HHS & FDA Protection of Human Subjects Regulations
Apart from HIPAA Privacy Rule, there are other human subject regulatory requirements, which apply to most federally funded and to some privately funded research, to help ensure the privacy of subjects and the confidentiality of information. Much of the biomedical and behavioral research conducted in the United States is governed either by the rule entitled … Continue reading
HIPAA loopholes exposed by Wall Street Journal
This is one of the reports from the Wall Street Scrap Book- “Increasingly complex confidentiality issues” in federal medical privacy rules “are affecting patients and their insurance coverage.” The reports also mention that complaints of privacy violations “have been piling up.” HHS received 23,896 complaints related to medical-privacy rules between April 2003 and Nov. 30, … Continue reading