New HIPAA Do’s and Don’ts for Employees

Written In Partnership with Brand Partner Content

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Today we’re going to learn some new HIPAA do’s and don’ts for employees. You might be wondering, “What does HIPAA have to do with my job?” Well, if you work with private health information, it’s super important to know the rules and follow them to keep everyone’s information safe. Knowing these guidelines can help you from potential legal issues as well as help prevent data breaches and secure confidential health-related information. By following these dos and don’ts of HIPAA compliance, employees can ensure the safety of confidential medical information which will protect patients’ privacy while also protecting themselves from any liability should a breach occur due to negligence or carelessness. So grab your thinking caps and let’s dive into this exciting topic together!

Understanding HIPAA and Your Role as an Employee:

First, let’s make sure we all understand what HIPAA is. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It’s a law that helps protect our private health information from being shared without our permission. If you’re an employee working in healthcare or with sensitive health data, it’s crucial to know and follow HIPAA rules. One great resource to keep you informed is the HIPAA Journal, which offers updates and helpful information about HIPAA compliance. Now that we know what HIPAA is and why it’s essential, let’s jump into some do’s and don’ts for employees. These tips will help you make sure you’re doing your job the right way and keeping all private health information safe and sound.

Do’s for HIPAA-Compliant Employees:

  1. Learn the Rules:

The first thing you should do is learn all the rules about HIPAA. There are lots of different guidelines to follow, so make sure you know them all. Your employer should offer training, but it’s also a good idea to do your research to stay up to date on any changes.

  1. Keep Information Secure:

Make sure you store any private health information in a secure place. This might be a locked file cabinet or an encrypted computer system. The important thing is to keep this information safe from people who shouldn’t have access to it.

  1. Limit Access to Information:

Only share private health information with people who need it to do their jobs. This means you should be careful not to talk about patients or their health information with coworkers unless it’s necessary for their work.

  1. Report Violations:

If you see someone breaking the HIPAA rules, it’s your responsibility to report it. Let your supervisor know right away if you think someone is sharing private health information without permission.

Don’ts for HIPAA-Compliant Employees:

  1. Don’t Share Information with Unauthorized People:

One of the most critical rules of HIPAA is not to share private health information with people who don’t need it for their jobs. This means you shouldn’t talk about patients or their health information with friends, family, or coworkers who don’t need to know.

  1. Don’t Leave Information Unprotected:

Make sure you don’t leave private health information where other people can see or access it. This means not leaving papers out on your desk or having sensitive information visible on your computer screen when you’re not using it.

  1. Don’t Use Personal Devices for Work:

It’s essential to keep your work and personal life separate, especially when it comes to private health information. Don’t use your personal phone or computer to store or access private health information. This can put the information at risk and break HIPAA rules.

  1. Don’t Post on Social Media:

You might be tempted to share an exciting or touching story about a patient on social media, but this is a big no-no. Even if you don’t share the patient’s name, you could still be breaking HIPAA rules if someone can figure out who you’re talking about. It’s best to keep your work life and social media life separate.

  1. Don’t Guess or Make Assumptions:

It’s important to only share information with people who need it. Don’t guess or make assumptions about who should have access to private health information, as this can put the patient’s privacy at risk.

Following these do’s and don’ts is key for any employee working in healthcare or with sensitive health data. Remember, HIPAA is in place to keep private health information safe and secure. Knowing the rules and being mindful of what you share can make a big difference in keeping our patient’s information protected. If you ever have any questions about HIPAA compliance, be sure to reach out to your supervisor or other knowledgeable people for guidance.

Tips for Staying HIPAA-Compliant at Work:

Now that we know the do’s and don’ts for HIPAA-compliant employees, let’s go over some tips to help you stay on track at work.

  1. Stay Organized:

Keeping track of all the private health information you work with can be tricky. Stay organized by having a system in place for storing and accessing information. This will make it easier to stay HIPAA-compliant and protect your patient’s privacy.

  1. Ask Questions:

If you’re ever unsure about whether something is allowed under HIPAA or not, ask your supervisor or someone who knows the rules. It’s always better to ask questions than to break the rules by accident.

  1. Keep Learning:

HIPAA rules can change, so it’s important to stay up to date on any new guidelines. Attend training offered by your employer, and do your research to make sure you’re always in the know.

  1. Keep Your Work and Personal Life Separate:

It’s essential to keep your work and personal life separate, especially when it comes to private health information. Don’t use your personal phone or computer to store or access private health information as this can put the information at risk.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, friends! Now you know the new HIPAA do’s and don’ts for employees, and you’re all set to do your job the right way while keeping private health information safe. By following these rules and tips, you’ll be able to protect your patient’s privacy while staying in compliance with HIPAA rules. Remember, if you ever have questions or concerns about the rules, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

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