Healthcare: HIPAA Compliance

Is your office HIPAA compliant? Are you at risk for fines and lawsuits brought about from a breach of patient confidentiality? Is your computer network completely secure? If you are not sure how to answer any of these questions, we highly recommend seeking professional assistance to mitigate the risks, even if ACS is not your choice.

ACS can help you to avoid potentially costly and embarassing situations!  The following examples are just a few, of many, that could occur in your hospital or practice.  With proper planning, and partnering with an educated I.T. company like ACS, you significantly mitigate risks of HIPAA violations. 

A hacker downloaded medical records, health information, and social security numbers on more than 5,000 patients at the University of Washington Medical Center. The hacker was motivated by a desire to expose the vulnerability of electronic medical records.

(R. O'Harrow, "Hacker Accesses Patient Records," The Washington Post)

Several thousand patient records at the University of Michigan Medical Center inadvertently lingered on public Internet sites for two months. The problem was discovered when a student searching for information about a doctor was linked to files containing private patient records with names, addresses, phone and Social Security numbers, job status, treatments for medical conditions and other data.

("Black Eye at the Med Center," Washington Business)

A Washington DC jury ordered a local hospital to pay $250,000 for failing to keep a patient's medical records confidential. Coworkers learned of the victim's HIV status after an employee at the Washington Hospital Center revealed information in his medical record.

(P. Slevin, "Man Wins Suit Over Disclosure of HIV Status," The Washington Post)