tions. A posting that claims to tell "True Stories of the OR," or begins
"You would not believe what happened in surgery today," reciting
"anonymous" facts based on an incident that occurred at your facility
places the facility, its administration and its staff in the HIPAA breach
danger zone.
All too often, social media that is commented upon and forwarded
results in unintended consequences. Inevitably someone in the chain
will add a name or other identifying information. Protected health infor-
mation will be released and facts will be twisted. This information, how-
ever, must remain within the walls of your facility and be disclosed only
for the legitimate business and patient care needs permitted under
HIPAA.
HIPAA audits
underway
In July, the U.S.
Department of Health
and Human Services'
Office for Civil Rights
— which enforces
HIPAA — announced
plans to conduct desk
audits at healthcare
providers, insurers
and clearinghouses.
These audits are
underway and focus-
ing on the law's priva-
cy, breach notification
Legal Update
LU
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