Texting Violation of HIPAA
Although SMS texting is common among doctors while they are at work, but is it against HIPAA regulations?
Could a HIPAA breach be caused by something as straightforward as an SMS message?
HIPAA Rules Regarding Texting
1. Create guidelines and rules to control who has permission to access PHI when messaging.
HIPAA mandates that healthcare institutions and commercial partners safely control who has the authority to view, modify, or disseminate sensitive patient data.
As a result, only the information required to complete a task should have access to PHI.
Each covered entity shall choose its own access controls, applications, and systems for managing permitted access to PHI connected to text messaging applications.
2. Activity of Document and Review
Once you’ve established some protocols for data logging, you should record access activity. Information about how PHI is accessed and used in your office should be included in your reports.
Each week, go over those reports to look for and eliminate any security threats. In this manner, you may safeguard PHI and lessen the likelihood of a security compromise.
If an issue is found, you can deal with it right away. This can entail updating the software you use to access and transmit PHI or modifying who has access to what data.
Regular reviews can also be used to assess the appropriateness and reasonableness of your audit controls. These controls enable covered entities and business partners to safeguard PHI without compromising patient care.
3. Seek Permission
You shouldn’t send mails containing patient PHI without the patient’s agreement. This is true for offering any type of telehealth service, including text, audio, and video communications.
Patients should be made aware of any hazards before you begin communicating with them. Giving your patients this “light warning” makes sure they are aware of the potential consequences.
4. Utilize text messaging services that are HIPAA compliant.
Utilizing HIPAA-compliant apps is a wonderful strategy to assist you in adhering to HIPAA regulations. You can make use of additional private messaging apps or your default text messaging app.
However, they frequently lack the necessary level of encryption. To ensure that communication between you and your patients is secure, you should utilize a certain messaging software that complies with HIPAA guidelines.
