Managed IT Services for Healthcare in Northern MA

“Electronic Protected Health Information,” abbreviated as e-PHI, encompasses all patient-related data generated, stored, exchanged, or received through electronic means. Given its digital nature, this data is vulnerable to potential loss or unauthorized access. The term “Covered Entities” includes businesses and organizations responsible for managing this electronic protected health information, such as hospitals, physical therapists, dentists, health insurance providers, and various healthcare practitioners. These entities are mandated to adhere to the “Security Rule,” which requires them to establish “reasonable and appropriate” administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect e-PHI.

Enhanced Requirements for “Reasonable and Appropriate” Safeguards:

1. Ensure the confidentiality, security, and availability of all e-PHI generated, received, or transmitted.
2. Mitigate potential threats to the integrity and security of the information, proactively identifying potential risks.
3. Guard against any anticipated unauthorized uses or disclosures of e-PHI.
4. Ensure that workforce members accessing this information comply with the established safeguards.

Definitions within the Security Rule:

• Confidentiality: Ensuring that e-PHI remains inaccessible and undisclosed to unauthorized individuals, safeguarding against improper disclosures and misuse of protected health information.
• Integrity: Guaranteeing that e-PHI remains unaltered and unharmed by unauthorized means.
• Availability: Ensuring that e-PHI remains accessible and readily usable upon request by authorized personnel.

Determining Suitable Security Rule Elements for Your Organization:

Recognizing that covered entities vary widely, from large multi-state health plans to smaller local physical therapy practices, the HHS acknowledges the flexible and scalable nature of the Security Rule. This adaptability empowers covered entities to assess their unique circumstances and requirements, enabling them to implement solutions that best align with their needs. When considering security measures, the Security Rule mandates covered entities to consider:

1. Their physical size, organizational complexities, and capabilities.
2. Their technological infrastructure, encompassing both hardware and software components.
3. The financial considerations associated with implementing security measures.
4. The likelihood of potential e-PHI data loss and the potential consequences of risks to e-PHI.