Health Information Compliance Alert
Breach Affecting Single Person: Do You Still Officially Report It?
PDF
Question: If the person affected by a breach knows about it already, do we still have to officially report it?
Answer: Yes, you still need to officially report the breach, answers Jim Sheldon-Dean, founder and director of compliance services for Lewis Creek Systems LLC in Charlotte, VT. “This actually happens quite frequently within smaller rural offices,” where somebody might wind up with a piece of paper in their envelope for somebody else. This might even be a friendly situation with nobody upset about the mix up.
But even when everyone is aware of the breach and has discussed the situation, “you still need to make the official notifications,” Sheldon-Dean warns. “You still have to send the official letter out or send out the official email notification.”
So even if the affected individual (or individuals) know about the breach already, you still need to follow through with all of the official notifications — that includes the affected individuals and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Sheldon-Dean stresses.
Health Information Compliance Alert
- Case Study:
Backup Devices: Learn 3 Crucial Lessons From The Latest Data Breaches
Why encryption is well worth the cost, especially with flash drives. Flash drives, or “thumb [...] - Compliance:
Dispel 7 Common HIPAA Compliance Myths
What to do when clergy members want to visit hospital patients. With all the minutiae [...] - Chart:
Employ Effective Risk Management Strategies For Remote Users
How to prevent ePHI exposure when a laptop or other portable device is lost or [...] - Reader Question:
Breach Affecting Single Person: Do You Still Officially Report It?
Question: If the person affected by a breach knows about it already, do we still have [...] - Reader Question:
How Long Must You Retain Electronic Medical Records?
Question: Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule specify a certain amount of time that our medical office [...] - Reader Question:
What Format Must You Use For Breach Documentation?
Question: For documentation regarding a breach, do we need to have hard copies (paper) or can [...] - Enforcement News:
Step-By-Step Guidance Helps You To Make Mobile Devices More Secure
Plus: FDA warns of infusion system at risk for cybersecurity issues. You’ll soon have some [...]