Correcting HIPAA Violations
All the sections face a threat for HIPAA violations, and protecting patient medical information should be the responsibility of all facility departments. Therefore, the security director will lead the initiative and help bring change. However, as the facility administrator, I expect each director to know that I am present when they need my help. I want the managers to develop an action plan for each department to understand their areas better. Each manager will form a small team comprising the most qualified staff members who will conduct a health survey, analyze billing and medical records, and produce a security plan and implementation strategy.
Meeting or Exceeding Industry Standards
Compliance with standards can be determined by establishing the exact number of incidents due to carelessness in handling client information or attacks from outside hackers. Additionally, directors can use online platforms to check and find the hospital ranking against national standards.
Current Policies and Procedures
I will change any areas not complying with HIPAA recommendations. These amendments will help the hospital develop and reduce future security risks (“HIPAA compliance checklist,” n.d.). The directors’ meeting will deliberate about the transformation and produce a plan of the alterations they consider essential. It will be more effective if it is a team decision.
Staff Training
I recommend employee training because it will provide them with the reasoning behind the change and make it easier for them to adapt. Further, employees will understand the facility’s threat if the new policy and procedures are not implemented (“HIPAA compliance checklist,” n.d.). During the training, each staff member will commit to comply with HIPAA.
Penalties for HIPAA Violations
The worst-case scenarios would be employee turnover due to lack of proper training, costly legal fees due to invasions or misuses of patient privacy, and accreditation loss. The hospital will not be receiving reimbursements for the services they offer to the sick on Medicaid and Medicare. Penalties can be severe if actions are deemed intentional.
Reference
HIPAA compliance checklist. (n.d.). Web.