Electronic Health Records For Dummies

Retrofitting old equipment

Many security breaches don’t happen as a result of a hacker actively scouting out your new EHR system. Typically, information stored on your old hardware or software gets into the wrong hands by accident. Although you may be excited about fitting your new EHR system with top-of-the-line security features, don’t forget about the old PCs from the early ‘90s, the box of antiquated disk, or the backup drives sitting in the supply closet. If they haven’t been properly cleaned of patient records, the sensitive information is there for the taking. Additionally, if you plan to sell old hardware to make room (and earn extra cash) for newer equipment and old files are present on those machines, you’re (uh-oh!) in breach of HIPAA regulations and subject to penalties.

These kinds of security breaches, no matter how unintentional, can wreak havoc on your practice and, some say, negate the potential savings of migrating to EHR because of the penalties you’ll occur. Therefore, we implore you, take care of your retired hardware. Even old fax machines can retain sensitive information, so nothing is 100 percent clean of data until an IT representative says it is. Find the money to hire a professional who can assure your old equipment is as clean as a newly washed window. You will be glad you did.

Have your IT pro provide you with a Certificate of Data Sanitization so you ...