Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, also known as HIPAA, any entity which meets certain criteria is responsible for providing HIPAA training. HIPAA is a federal law which was enacted in order to provide protection from the misuse of confidential patient medical information. HIPAA training includes training on the privacy practices and policies of an organization, minimize the risk of the misuse of patient information, and types of security to combat the misuse of patient data.
Who Must Provide HIPAA Training
Organizations which constitute a "covered entity" under HIPAA must provide HIPAA training to its employees, trainees, agents, volunteers and contractors. Under HIPAA, a "covered entity" stores, uses and/or exchanges confidential medical data, and as a result, HIPAA training must be provided. This training includes the organization's HIPAA policies, privacy protections, violation procedures, computer protections and more. HIPAA does not specify the manner in which the training must be achieved. Consequently, HIPAA training may involve educational courses, hands-on training exercises, the use of agreements in the workplace, computer training and any other type of training.
Educational Courses
In order to achieve HIPAA training, an organization can provide HIPAA education via courses. Such courses may be live, in-person training or computerized training. Courses generally focus on key areas, such as the ways in which the employer utilizes protected health information, how the employer takes precautions to ensure the confidentiality of the patient information, the organization's privacy policies and procedures, the method for resolving potential breaches of patient information and the consequences of a HIPAA violation. Moreover, the courses may include hands-on tutorials where specific examples are set forth to demonstrate a HIPAA violation.
Computer HIPAA Training
If a covered entity handles patient data in its computer network, that entity must provide HIPAA-specific computer training. The storage of patient information and the exchange of this information via computers presents the potential for accidental breach of patient confidentiality. Consequently, HIPAA training requires that computer users receive a password and are taught the ways in which a HIPAA violation may be avoided. For instance, keeping a computer locked when not in use and turned away from public viewing points minimizes the risk of patient information disclosure. Moreover, computer users should be trained in identifying possible HIPAA non-compliance issues so that these issues may be immediately addressed. For example, the users should monitor who is accessing the computer records and for what purpose.
Privacy, Confidentiality and Information Security Instruments
Another method used by covered entities in providing HIPAA training is through the entities' use of a privacy, confidentiality and information security instrument. This document usually includes an outline of the organization's HIPAA privacy rules, policies and procedures. In addition, the document includes a statement whereby the person signing the statement understands and agrees to the organization's rules, policies and procedures. This instrument not only provides written HIPAA training materials to the organization's workers, but also offers additional protection for the entity in that it demonstrates the organization's efforts to comply with HIPAA's training requirements.
Ongoing Training
Under HIPAA, any covered entities must continue to provide HIPAA training to its workers. Thus, entities must be vigilant in keeping abreast of any HIPAA developments and changes such that HIPAA training efforts remain updated. One way to provide ongoing HIPAA training is to use internal documents, such as newsletters, to advise workers of HIPAA changes. In addition, covered entities can utilize annual training updates in order to keep on top of HIPAA's mandates. Finally, a covered entity may utilize interim computer modules which workers must complete in order to address any new HIPAA developments and remain HIPAA compliant.
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