Q&A: Most effective HIPAA training strategies

Q: Sometimes employees don’t seem to have a great understanding of HIPAA even after they have received HIPAA training. What HIPAA training strategies work best?

A: Try making it fun. Some privacy officials make periodic privacy rounds to patient care units and other departments in the organization.

Using a game show format, ask employees to answer questions about privacy or security issues. If they answer correctly, reward them with a small prize (candy bars or coffee coupons are popular). If they answer incorrectly, use that as a teachable moment. Encourage staff members to ask questions about any concerns they may have.

Editor's note: Mary D. Brandt, MBA, RHIA, CHE, CHPS is a healthcare consultant specializing in healthcare regulatory compliance and operations improvement. She is also an advisory board member for BOH. This information does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal counsel for answers to specific privacy and security questions.