The challenge of complying with HIPAA privacy and security requirements is significant for physicians, particularly those in small practices, says Robert Rowley, MD, whose Hayward, CA, office has functioned without paper records since 2002.
Q. May a preadmission nurse leave messages (e.g., “This is a reminder that your surgery is tomorrow; please don’t drink or eat anything after midnight.”) on an answering machine or mobile phone voice mail?
Many physicians and physician practices have gotten a break from the Red Flags Rule—the law intended to prevent identity theft and medical identity theft—thanks to Congress.
HIPAA privacy officers don’t have eyes in the back of their heads. Nor can they be everywhere at once. But they can increase their ability to monitor compliance by sharing the responsibility with other staff members.
