--- You are currently subscribed to wedi-privacy as: archive@jab.org To unsubscribe from this list, go to the Subscribe/Unsubscribe form at http://subscribe.wedi.org or send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you need to unsubscribe but your current email address is not the same as the address subscribed to the list, please use the Subscribe/Unsubscribe form at http://subscribe.wedi.org --- Here are some statements re Myths that I saw on a site Myer S. Bornstein, MD, MMM, FACOG, CPE
Dispelling HIPAA-rroneous Myths Myth 1 "We can no longer use sign-in sheets with the names of other patients." Truth: You can continue to use sign-in sheets as long as it does not require the reason for the visit or describe any other PHI. Myth 2 "We now call back patients from the waiting room by numbers-not names." Truth: Calling Mrs. Jones "Number 21" is absurd. As long as you do not announce the reason why Mrs. Jones is coming back to the clinic, you are not in violation of HIPAA standards. Myth 3 "We can no longer leave appointment reminder messages on an answering machine." Truth: You can leave reminder messages; however, do not go into all the reasons why they are coming in. Reminding them to not eat anything after midnight is also okay. Myth 4 "Flowers can no longer be delivered to the hospital because the card on the arrangement reveals the patients name." Truth: Unless the outside reveals PHI, which it will not, you can continue with allowing your patients to receive flower deliveries. Myth 5 "If a patient overhears the doctor talking about another patient, this constitutes a security breach." Truth: HIPAA expects reasonable efforts to be made when discussing patient care in common areas, but the regulators also realize that people will get within hearing distance from time to time. If you are overheard by an eaves-dropper, it is understood that your intentions were not for that person to hear you. It is okay to discuss a case explicitly; just refrain from overt identification of a specific patient. In short, take reasonable, common-sense precautions, and accept the fact that you cannot conform perfectly. -----Original Message----- From: Noel Chang [mailto:nchang@;integralps.com] Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 11:40 AM To: WEDI SNIP Privacy Workgroup List Subject: "Appropriate" physical safeguards --- You are currently subscribed to wedi-privacy as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe from this list, go to the Subscribe/Unsubscribe form at http://subscribe.wedi.org or send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you need to unsubscribe but your current email address is not the same as the address subscribed to the list, please use the Subscribe/Unsubscribe form at http://subscribe.wedi.org --- I would be interested in hearing from people who deal with solo practitioners or small group practices, what are some of the issues you are having to address in the doctor's office to ensure that "appropriate" physical safeguards are provided (section 164.530(c)). Let's ignore the administrative and technical safeguards for now. For example: At the check in window, is a sliding, frosted glass, window always necessary? As long as computer terminals are not visible, nor any other PHI, I say no. Are lockable doors necessary at every point that you do not intend non-office personnel to access? Many offices I have seen have a door that separate the waiting room from the rest of the office. Once you are in the exam area, however, you can move freely (without any keys or combinations) from the exam room to the insurance desk, to medical records area, to the referrals area, etc. I would say it is pretty obvious that these areas are not intended for patients to access but what is appropriate? Do I have to have locking doors to separate these areas from the exam rooms? Can I just post signs that notify patients that an area is restricted and they are not supposed to enter? This is a gray area to me and without seeing the work area being considered I would argue it is impossible to make blanket statements about what is appropriate. Do people agree or do they feel there are some hard and fast rules concerning how the physical work space should be layed out? Noel Chang -- Open WebMail Project (http://openwebmail.org) --- The WEDI SNIP listserv to which you are subscribed is not moderated. The discussions on this listserv therefore represent the views of the individual participants, and do not necessarily represent the views of the WEDI Board of Directors nor WEDI SNIP. If you wish to receive an official opinion, post your question to the WEDI SNIP Issues Database at http://snip.wedi.org/tracking/. These listservs should not be used for commercial marketing purposes or discussion of specific vendor products and services. They also are not intended to be used as a forum for personal disagreements or unprofessional communication at any time. --- The WEDI SNIP listserv to which you are subscribed is not moderated. The discussions on this listserv therefore represent the views of the individual participants, and do not necessarily represent the views of the WEDI Board of Directors nor WEDI SNIP. If you wish to receive an official opinion, post your question to the WEDI SNIP Issues Database at http://snip.wedi.org/tracking/. These listservs should not be used for commercial marketing purposes or discussion of specific vendor products and services. They also are not intended to be used as a forum for personal disagreements or unprofessional communication at any time.
