Q: While at an appointment, I noticed a receipt sticking out of a patient folder at the registration desk, and I could read the patient's name, last four digits of his or her Social Security number, and diagnosis/billing codes. Is this a HIPAA violation, since anyone walking by could read this information?
Establishing an outpatient CDI program can have substantial benefits. Recently, an outpatient CDI review project demonstrated there were many documentation improvement opportunities at a large family practice/internal medicine physician clinic.
In its May newsletter on workstation security and the HIPAA Security Rule, OCR cited a 2015 settlement with Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, over a breach of PHI involving a laptop used in connection with a CT scanner.
The Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) July Cybersecurity Newsletter, released last week, gave advice on disposing electronic devices and media to protect sensitive information like financial records and electronic personal health information.
Q: Is it permissible to take pictures of patients (including behavioral health) for identification purposes as a part of the registration process? Do the patients need to sign a consent form before their picture can be taken?
Implementing a denial avoidance initiative can help facilities and health systems realize lost revenue, achieve cost savings, and improve an organization’s financial performance.
