The technology used to run your business becomes more complex by the day. While advances in technology offer improvements in efficiency and capacity, companies in the medical field find it challenging to remain compliant with regulatory measures.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act, commonly abbreviated as HIPAA, mandates that all businesses handling patient data follow certain protocol to ensure the protection of sensitive data.

Let’s take a look into how businesses are impacted by the advancement of technology, and what’s required to remain compliant.

1. Determine Which Systems Use Patient Data

HIPAA standards apply to any technical system that is used to handle, transfer and/ or modify patient data. It’s important for you and your team to understand which systems interact with patient data and to be aware of any updates that may occur to these systems. You should be able to draw a diagram of exactly where your patient’s data goes, and if any system breaches secure protocol, take measures to correct it.

2. Centralize Data Management

Smart businesses rely on as few systems as possible when handling patient data. The more systems that interact with your patient’s data, the increased chance of a data breach.

3. Lapses in HIPAA Compliance Can Be Costly!

Operating without HIPAA compliant systems is illegal, and will subject your business to serious penalties. Failing to comply with new measures can also prove fatal if your IT response is too slow – downtime in any business creates huge financial headaches when you’re unable to serve patients.

OMA Comp assists medical companies that handle patient data, contact us to learn more.

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