Safeguards Archives - HIPAA Templates

Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule require hospitals and doctors’ offices to be retrofitted, to provide private rooms, and soundproof walls to avoid any possibility that a conversation is overheard?

No, the Privacy Rule does not require these types of [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T21:01:28-04:00Safeguards, Smaller Providers and Businesses|

In limiting access, are covered entities required to completely restructure existing workflow systems, including redesigning office space and upgrading computer systems, in order to comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s minimum necessary requirements?

No. The basic standard for minimum necessary uses requires that [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T21:20:16-04:00Minimum Necessary, Safeguards, Smaller Providers and Businesses|

A hospital customarily displays patients’ names next to the door of the hospital rooms that they occupy. Will the HIPAA Privacy Rule allow the hospital to continue this practice?

The Privacy Rule explicitly permits certain incidental disclosures that occur [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T20:58:35-04:00Incidental Uses and Disclosures, Safeguards, Smaller Providers and Businesses|

A clinic customarily places patient charts in the plastic box outside an exam room. It does not want the record left unattended with the patient, and physicians want the record close by for fast review right before they walk into the exam room. Will the HIPAA Privacy Rule allow the clinic to continue this practice?

Yes, the Privacy Rule permits this practice as long as [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-22T05:40:41-04:00Incidental Uses and Disclosures, Safeguards, Smaller Providers and Businesses|

Are physicians and doctor’s offices prohibited from maintaining patient medical charts at bedside or outside of exam rooms, or from engaging in other customary practices where the potential exists for patient information to be incidentally disclosed to others?

No. The HIPAA Privacy Rule does not prohibit covered entities [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T20:57:28-04:00Incidental Uses and Disclosures, Safeguards, Smaller Providers and Businesses|

May physician’s offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of their patients in their waiting rooms?

Yes. Covered entities, such as physician’s offices, may use patient [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T21:02:08-04:00Incidental Uses and Disclosures, Safeguards, Smaller Providers and Businesses|

Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule require covered entities to keep patients’ medical records for any period of time?

No, the HIPAA Privacy Rule does not include medical record [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T20:17:20-04:00Disposal of Protected Health Information, Safeguards|

How should home health workers or other workforce members of a covered entity dispose of protected health information that they use off of the covered entity’s premises?

The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that covered entities develop and [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T20:17:20-04:00Disposal of Protected Health Information, Safeguards|

May a covered entity reuse or dispose of computers or other electronic media that store electronic protected health information?

Yes, but only if certain steps have been taken to [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T20:17:20-04:00Disposal of Protected Health Information, Safeguards|

May a covered entity hire a business associate to dispose of protected health information?

Yes, a covered entity may, but is not required to, [...]

Jason Russell2020-09-10T20:17:20-04:00Disposal of Protected Health Information, Safeguards|