In enacting HIPAA, Congress mandated the establishment of standards for the privacy of individually-identifiable health information (such as patient records and files). According to HIPAA Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164), covered entity must have appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of protected health information. HIPAA privacy regulations mandate that security safeguards be in place to control access and protect information from accidental or intentional disclosure to unauthorized persons and from alteration, destruction or loss.
As a result, new information management practices have been introduced in the healthcare industry to limit the access and viewing of patient records. But, the new generation of digital copiers and MFPs are silently storing thousands of patient records in memory every time a print or copy is made, which if accessed, could affect your business.
HIPAA covers health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers who conduct certain financial and administrative transactions (e.g., billing and funds transfers) electronically.
The final security rule states that: "The implementation of reasonable and appropriate security measures also supports compliance with privacy standards, just as lack of adequate security can increase the risk of violation of the privacy standards." Covered entities must ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all electronic protected health information the covered entity creates, receives, maintains or transmits.
HIPAA requires the implementation of technical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to protected health information that is being transmitted over an electronic communications network. Covered entities must provide physical safeguards, including facility access, workstation security, and device and media controls.
Learn how we can help
The MFP is the natural link between information and the way people use it, which is why Sharp offers a comprehensive security suite designed to provide our clients with a scalable approach to securing confidential information. For more information on how Sharp can help meet your privacy needs, please download the Sharp Security Suite brochure.
