Privacy and Security Tiger Team: New policy recommendations
The recent HIMSS Privacy and Security Forum in San Diego gave the ONC Privacy & Security Tiger Team an opportunity to present some of its work and recommendations over the past few months and...
View ArticleEHNAC accredits HASA for secure data exchange capabilities
Healthcare Access San Antonio (HASA) is the latest Texas health information exchange (HIE) to be fully accredited by the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). HASA’s...
View ArticleNew Blue Cross, Blue Shield HIE prompts privacy questions
Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross joining forces this week was big news in healthcare, as a total of 9 million customers will have their records in the new comprehensive network, Cal...
View ArticleHIPAA BAA, patient data flow strategies for an HIE
When the HIPAA Omnibus Rule became enforceable almost a year ago, in September 2013, much of the impact was believed to be on healthcare organizations’ business associate agreements (BAAs). Though...
View ArticleBronx RHIO implements direct secure messaging
Maintaining security standards as Health Information Exchange (HIE) expansion continues is critical for any healthcare provider. It’s also essential that patient data stays secure as it is transported...
View ArticleeHealth Initiative Survey: HIEs Lacking In Interoperability
Cost and technical challenges remain central barriers to interoperability for health information exchanges (HIEs), according to the recent eHealth Initiative survey. The research also showed that...
View ArticleOregon Health Insurance Exchange Suffers 18th Breach
An Oregon health insurance exchange (HIE) has had 18 security breaches in the last six months, with the most recent one occurring when documents containing PHI was sent to the wrong patient. According...
View ArticleAMA: MU Secure Messaging Criteria Should Be Optional
Meaningful Use secure messaging was one of several issues discussed in a blueprint created by the American Medical Association last week. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should...
View ArticleWhy Protecting PHI Must Be Top a Priority for the IRS
The IRS must work harder to keep PHI protected, according to a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is authorized to disclose...
View ArticleWill Healthcare Interoperability Issues Follow DeSalvo Departure?
The AMA hopes that recent ONC departures will not create healthcare interoperability issues. The American Medical Association (AMA) believes that the departure of National Coordinator Karen DeSalvo...
View ArticleHow Health Data Security Benefits from Industry Sharing
Health data security is not a new issue in the healthcare sector, but with health information exchanges (HIEs) springing up all over the country, facilities have to be aware of systems other than their...
View ArticleSimplicity is Key for HIE and EHR Interoperability
More healthcare organizations across the nation are working toward interoperability, while also ensuring that they abide by federal regulations in terms of HIEs, EHRs, and patient security. The move...
View ArticleWhy HIEs Must Hire, Train Qualified Employees
Healthcare organizations can have difficulty hiring the right individuals for HIEs, according to a survey by HIMSS and AHIMA. With more healthcare organizations working to implement EHRs and become...
View ArticleHIMSS and CHIME Pen Letter to HHS on Healthcare IT’s Future
HIMSS and CHIME are concerned after various leadership changes within the ONC, but hope to work together with HHS. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has been on a bit of a roller...
View ArticleHospital of Univ. of Penn. Enters Secure Messaging World
With electronic medical records (EMRs) quickly becoming the norm, more healthcare organizations are using secure messaging systems to help the expansion into Health Information Exchanges (HIEs)....
View ArticleComments Sought On NIST Cyber Threat Sharing Guide
NIST released a guide on cyber threat information sharing, and is seeking comments through November 28. The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) drafted a...
View ArticleHealthcare Privacy & Security Part of ONC Vision Paper
Healthcare privacy and security issues are part of several topics that the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) plans to focus on over the next decade. Yesterday the ONC released an outline of its...
View ArticleCreating Healthcare Security with Special Purpose Networks
With 69 percent of healthcare providers using mobile devices to view patient information, having a high-quality and secure, yet transparent wireless network within a healthcare organization (HCO) is...
View ArticleNew Interoperability Program Set to Improve EHRs and HIE
HIE security is crucial as more healthcare organizations work to improve interoperability programs. The Interoperability Workgroup (IWG) formed a strategic relationship with Healthcare Information and...
View ArticleUsing, Exchanging Health Data Securely a Challenge, Says OIG
The meaningful and secure exchange and use of electronic health data was one of several challenges facing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the Office of the Inspector General...
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