The “Security Rule” of HIPAA, one of 5 HIPAA “Rules,” specifically covers the security of electronically recorded information. Recently, HHS has issue guidance on complying with the requirement to perform and annually evaluate “risk assessments.” Such risk assessments are a requirement under HIPAA. One of the areas identified as an area to be assessed is […]
Read MoreAt the Safeguarding Health Information conference in Washington, D.C. last month, Susan McAndrew, deputy director for privacy at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, said that the healthcare industry can soon expect a greater emphasis on enforcing the HIPAA security rule than in years past. To reinforce her point, she […]
Read MoreABC Action News, in an ongoing investigative series, discovered hundreds of private patient records in dumpsters outside of medical offices. The report notes that while identity theft is a primary risk of careless disposal, there can be other consequences. Several of the documents contained information related to diagnoses and prescribed treatments—material that could adversely impact […]
Read MoreThe South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control issued a warning that as many as 1,800 residents may have had their personal information compromised by the Department’s failure to properly dispose of documents. The agency stated that it is making every attempt to notify affected individuals. Department policy is to shred the documents, and […]
Read MoreThousands of medical records were stolen from the Baylor Health Care System and found in a dumpster and garage of a nearby apartment complex, and Dallas police are investigating the incident with the intent of filing felony identify theft charges. In response to the incident a Baylor Health Care System spokespersons stated, “Baylor Health Care […]
Read MoreAuthorities were stunned to discover medical records and waste in 9,000 square foot abandoned mansion in Springfield, Tennessee. In addition to syringes, vials of blood, and other medical waste, investigators found rooms filled with medical records, including documents containing social security numbers and other sensitive data. The documents belong to several different health care facilities […]
Read MoreMichael Branch, a Lake Mary doctor, was instructed by local police to properly dispose of patient records found in a dumpster outside of his office. When asked by WFTV 9 Eyewitness News, Branch stated that, “It’s office stuff… old records. I’m just going to shred everything.” Police are investigating to determine whether or not patient […]
Read MoreLocal residents discovered abandoned records in a nursing home closed since Hurricane Katrina—nearly 5 years ago. The records were discovered by residents when their dog ran into the facility. While the records have been in the building for an extended period of time, the discovery did lead authorities to speed up the demolition process for […]
Read MorePatients of a St. Petersburg doctor were understandably nervous when they learned that their former physician had abandoned a storage unit, leaving the contents eligible for auction. Tabetha Schwartz, a patient of the physician and a recent victim of identity theft, contacted the state of Florida. As a result of that contactthe auction is temporarily […]
Read MoreA garbage full of medical records, belonging to local healthcare provider University Medical Clinics, was found in the trash by a local resident. University Medical Clinics CEO Dr. Samuel Sadow stated that he did not believe any patient records were compromised, however, police spokesman Tom Nichols stated that “A garbage bag full of medical records […]
Read More