Privacy & Security
HIPAA/HITECH Security & Privacy Policies
Hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, pharmacies, and additional healthcare partners all need to share health data. However, there are very specific rules and regulations around how this information can be stored and shared, and there are significant consequences to the mishandling of this data. Healthcare organizations must adhere to strict HIPAA/HITECH security and privacy policies to protect patient data and ensure the safety and security of their systems. At Empower HCP, we understand the importance of these policies and have developed comprehensive solutions to help organizations meet their HIPAA/HITECH compliance requirements.
Our services include risk assessments to identify potential security vulnerabilities, security auditing to verify compliance with the applicable regulations, and training and education programs to ensure staff members understand their responsibilities under HIPAA/HITECH. We also provide technical solutions to help organizations protect their systems and data, such as firewalls and data encryption. Our security solutions are designed to protect against unauthorized access, while still allowing authorized users to access the data they need. In collaboration with an organization’s compliance officer, we can assist in the development of the organizational workflows necessary to operationalize these new HIPAA/HITECH compliance policies and procedures, as well as specific compliance forms and practice-specific documentation requirements. We provide HIPAA/HITECH policies maintenance and support as needed.
Security Risk Analysis
Security risks can come in many forms, such as malware, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. In order to protect your organization, Empower HCP can identify any potential security threats and develop processes to minimize or eliminate them.
The first step in analyzing security risks is to assess the current environment. This includes looking at existing systems and processes, examining the organization’s security policies, and identifying any areas that may be vulnerable to attack. It is also important to consider the potential impact of any existing threats, as well as any future threats that could arise. Once the current environment has been assessed, the next step is to develop a risk management plan. This plan should include the steps required to identify, analyze, and mitigate any security risks and to identify the sources of these potential security risks. This includes identifying any external threats, such as malicious software, hackers, or unauthorized access, as well as internal threats, such as employee negligence or data breaches. Once these sources have been identified, it is important to take steps to reduce their chances of occurring.
In collaboration with your Compliance Officer(s) and IT staff or vendor, we will conduct an annual assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information held by your organization. We will provide your organization with a formal SRA report as well as a risk mitigation plan. These reports will be discussed with senior management as well as the individuals whose roles within your organization will be acting on the corrective actions outlined in the risk management plan.
Breach Response
When a healthcare company experiences a breach, quick and effective response is essential to mitigate any adverse effects. At Empower HCP, we understand the importance of responding to data breaches quickly and thoroughly, and our experienced team of healthcare compliance experts can help you navigate the complex process of breach response.
Our breach response services begin with an initial assessment of the breach and an analysis of the risks associated with it. We will analyze the type of data that was breached, the source of the breach, and the potential impact on your organization. We will then create a comprehensive plan to address the breach and its associated risks. Next, we will help you notify the appropriate parties about the breach and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect the affected data and individuals, including the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights. This includes notifying the affected individuals and providing them with appropriate guidance on how to protect themselves from further harm. We will also work with you to develop a public relations strategy to ensure your organization’s reputation and public image are not negatively impacted by the breach.
Once the breach has been addressed and the affected data and individuals have been protected, we will provide ongoing support to ensure that the proper security measures have been implemented to prevent future breaches. This includes implementing proper authentication methods, encryption technologies, and access controls. We will also provide ongoing security assessments to ensure your organization remains compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
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