If you’ve been in healthcare for any length of time, then you know all about HIPAA and the important role it plays. Designed to protect patients with unauthorized disclosure of their information, HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. All healthcare providers, health clearinghouses, health plans, and business associates should be well-versed in HIPAA to ensure they’re compliant at all times.
If a HIPAA compliance audit took place at your long-term care facility today, would you be prepared for it?
EHR Software Solutions & HIPAA Compliance
Privacy is a right for all of your patients, especially when it comes to the protection and privacy of their personal healthcare information. Because those working in the long-term care sector regularly handle sensitive patient information, everyone in your facility should be trained to recognize and protect it, defend against costly data breaches, and refrain from violating other HIPAA regulations.
Failure to comply with HIPAA can result in expensive and exhausting consequences for your long-term care facility, up to and including fines and closure — and trouble follows long after closure, too. To avoid non-compliance issues, you should have systems and processes in place to keep your patients’ protected health information (PHI) secure.
Picking Your EHR
An easier workflow and simpler path to HIPAA compliance starts with your electronic health record. If you’re not using one, you should be. Not only does an EHR help streamline your day-to-day operations, easing stress and enhancing care, but many built-in features can also help you stay HIPAA compliant.
Many long-term care facilities have been hesitant to move from the old paper-and-pen method to an electronic health record. According to a recent study, “Although LTC facilities have been slow to adopt EHR, they continue to be areas where the benefits of implementing EHR can be realized to its fullest potential.”
If you’re considering adopting an EHR system or looking to transition to another EHR software, note that not all EHRs are the same. Some EHRs are industry-specific, and you should only choose EHR software solutions that have features integrated to help your long-term care facility stay HIPAA compliant.
Using Your EHR
Our EHR software solutions incorporate a standard of care module and an audit log that allows views of activities, such as users who accessed PHI of specific residents, as well as the time and PHI that was accessed. When these capabilities are incorporated in your facility’s systems and processes, you can seamlessly comply with all HIPAA rules and regulations. Your EHR is not fully responsible for HIPAA compliance, however, and those at your facility must follow established protocol for keeping patient information safe.
Use EHR Software Solutions with Peace of Mind
A HIPAA compliance audit can happen at any time, and your long-term care facility should be ready for it. Give your patients the privacy they deserve and your team peace of mind with EHR software solutions that help empower you to stay HIPAA compliant. Our team is committed to helping you succeed in today’s complex healthcare environment. We know you have so many expectations and regulations to meet every day, and we’re here to make things a little easier for you. Schedule a free demo today to experience the benefits of EHR for your long-term care facility!
