Protecting patient privacy is of utmost importance for healthcare providers in maintaining HIPAA compliance.
February 9, 2024
February 2024
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Protecting Patient Privacy and the Importance of Healthcare Website Security and HIPAA Compliance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are cautioning hospitals and telehealth providers about the privacy and security risks related to the use of online tracking technologies that may be integrated into their websites or mobile apps that may be impermissibly disclosing consumers’ sensitive personal health data to third parties.
Protecting patient privacy is of utmost importance for healthcare providers in maintaining HIPAA compliance. The cautionary message from HHS, OCR, and FTC highlights the risks associated with online tracking technologies and the need for healthcare organizations to be vigilant in their use and monitoring.
By implementing robust security measures, regularly auditing and updating information systems, CMS, CRM, user interfaces, and seeking expert guidance when necessary, healthcare providers can ensure the safety of patient data and maintain trust in an increasingly digitized healthcare landscape.
Understanding the Risks
Online tracking technologies have become ubiquitous and serve the purpose of collecting and analyzing user interactions with websites and mobile apps. The concern, however, arises when these tracking technologies, often developed by third parties, send patient data directly to external entities. Tracking technologies can continue to track and gather patient information, even after they navigate away from the original website.
Key Risks
- Data Exposure: The exposure of sensitive personal health data (ePHI) to third parties, potentially compromising patient privacy.
- Continual Tracking: Users might not be aware that they are continually tracked, leading to a lack of control over their personal data.
HIPAA Compliance and Protecting ePHI
The issued bulletin identifies key areas to consider when using tracking technologies to remain in compliance with HIPAA.
- Tracking on Webpages: The need for healthcare entities to assess and secure tracking technologies used on their websites, including reviewing third-party services and ensuring they align with HIPAA regulations.
- Tracking within Mobile Apps: The importance of securing user data within mobile healthcare apps, ensuring that any tracking functionalities comply with HIPAA standards.
- HIPAA Compliance Obligations: HIPAA compliance obligations include safeguarding ePHI and ensuring that patient data remains confidential when using tracking technologies.
Questions or concerns about healthcare website security and HIPAA compliance? Speak with our healthcare analytics team for assistance. Your patients' privacy and data security are our top priorities.
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Episode details
Protecting Patient Privacy and the Importance of Healthcare Website Security and HIPAA Compliance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are cautioning hospitals and telehealth providers about the privacy and security risks related to the use of online tracking technologies that may be integrated into their websites or mobile apps that may be impermissibly disclosing consumers’ sensitive personal health data to third parties.
Protecting patient privacy is of utmost importance for healthcare providers in maintaining HIPAA compliance. The cautionary message from HHS, OCR, and FTC highlights the risks associated with online tracking technologies and the need for healthcare organizations to be vigilant in their use and monitoring.
By implementing robust security measures, regularly auditing and updating information systems, CMS, CRM, user interfaces, and seeking expert guidance when necessary, healthcare providers can ensure the safety of patient data and maintain trust in an increasingly digitized healthcare landscape.
Understanding the Risks
Online tracking technologies have become ubiquitous and serve the purpose of collecting and analyzing user interactions with websites and mobile apps. The concern, however, arises when these tracking technologies, often developed by third parties, send patient data directly to external entities. Tracking technologies can continue to track and gather patient information, even after they navigate away from the original website.
Key Risks
- Data Exposure: The exposure of sensitive personal health data (ePHI) to third parties, potentially compromising patient privacy.
- Continual Tracking: Users might not be aware that they are continually tracked, leading to a lack of control over their personal data.
HIPAA Compliance and Protecting ePHI
The issued bulletin identifies key areas to consider when using tracking technologies to remain in compliance with HIPAA.
- Tracking on Webpages: The need for healthcare entities to assess and secure tracking technologies used on their websites, including reviewing third-party services and ensuring they align with HIPAA regulations.
- Tracking within Mobile Apps: The importance of securing user data within mobile healthcare apps, ensuring that any tracking functionalities comply with HIPAA standards.
- HIPAA Compliance Obligations: HIPAA compliance obligations include safeguarding ePHI and ensuring that patient data remains confidential when using tracking technologies.
Questions or concerns about healthcare website security and HIPAA compliance? Speak with our healthcare analytics team for assistance. Your patients' privacy and data security are our top priorities.
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