Is a File Really Gone After Deletion?

There are several people working in healthcare facilities that are responsible for millions of patient’s health records and files. Whether they are on hard copies like paper or in a computer system they all have to be protected. Why, because congress said so in 1996 with the Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA). When this happened several things had to change so that we could accommodate this ruling and policy to Hospital Pharmacist Hours be within standards at our place of care. Many added locks to their doors and started scanning documents into the computer that also served as a way of going paperless when the computer technology was advancing. Of course everyone knew it was the right thing to do but at the time and sometimes now it can be a large undertaking to accomplish the amount the work that needs to be taken care of to meet all the restrictions and guidelines.
The Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) purpose is to provide a patient protection and privacy to their health information. There are ways for people to exchange information on a need to know basis such as medical billing offices and physician Cincinnati Children’S Nurse Residency to physician consults. What it means though, is that patients information will not be shared with anyone unless the patient knows about it and gives authorization. This includes giving information to their spouse a family member or a significant other.
HIPAA Managers provide training and instruction to all staff members and newly reporting personnel. They also monitor the program on it successes and are responsible if anything needs updating if information needs to get out to the facility. They do provide policy information on how to handle the Information Management when deleting files with personal patient information. It requires special software to assure the files are sanitized and the personal health information is overwritten. This is one of the reasons you should not move your own computer to another department and have the Information Management personnel clear your computer when you know patient files need to be deleted. These subjects are usually discussed in HIPAA training.
In the meantime, do not forget to lock your door or desk drawers that have patient information when you are leaving the office, especially for the day. One day that patient may be us. When it is, we will want to know that people are taking every consideration to protect our health and personal information.