Q Our authorization form for release of information requires patients to sign separate lines to authorize release of sensitive information, such as sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and genetic information. We understand that very few other covered entities do this. Is this a legal requirement? And if so, may we change our form to state that all information will be released unless the patient indicates otherwise?
The time for healthcare organizations to undertake a review of their operations is now-OCR anticipates that its long-awaited HIPAA compliance audit program will be under way this fall.
The May tornado that destroyed a medical center in Joplin, MO, raised an important question: How can healthcare providers protect patients' PHI when disaster strikes?
Social networking and its related communication vehicles pose significant privacy and security challenges for healthcare organizations, says Chris Apgar, CISSP.
