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In this issue:
Editorial Focus: The New HITECH Act and HIPAA
Upcoming Signature Learning Series Events: Active RFID Benefits: 3/19/09 and Hospital Disaster Readiness: 3/31/09
Relevant Trade Show and Conference Activities: HIMSS, HCCA and NetSecure 2009
Case Study: Telepsychiatry Facilitates Mental Health Services to Remote Locations
Webinar: HIPAA Amendments to Privacy and Security Rules in Federal Stimulus Bill
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- The New HITECH Act and HIPAA: Increased Penalties, Audits & New Requirements – Monthly HIPAA Compliance Tip
Brought to you by: Ali Pabrai, CISSP, CSCS, HIPAA Academy
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or the HITECH Act, was signed into law on February 17, 2009 as part of the economic stimulus package. This new legislation establishes new enforcement provisions as well as penalties that impact covered entities, business associates, vendors and others. The HITECH Act is divided into several parts, or subtitles.
-Subtitle A (Promotion of Health Information Technology) contains provisions to promote the creation of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and accurate exchange of health information, with the goal of a certified electronic health record for each person in the United States by 2014. It will result in voluntary standards for the certification of electronic health records
-Subtitle B (Testing of Health Information Technology) requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the establishment of a conformance-testing infrastructure, including the development of technical test beds. This may include a program to accredit independent, non-Federal laboratories to perform testing.
-Subtitle C (Grants and Loans Funding) provides financial incentives and funding for the adoption of health information technology.
-Subtitle D (Privacy and Security) contains provisions for the privacy and security of health information. The privacy and security provisions generally take effect 12 months after enactment of the Act (i.e., February 17, 2010).
Most of the provisions of the Act go into effect one year after enactment of the law – which would be February 10, 2010. However, increased penalties go into effect immediately. New requirements have been introduced in several areas including breach notification and significant additional requirements for business associates.
So is your organization compliant with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules?
Get your complimentary copy of the ecfirst executive brief PDF, “Increased Mandates for Privacy & Security of Health Information: New Penalties In Effect Immediately,” visit www.ecfirst.com. ecfirst can assist your efforts with compliance requirements for HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001/2 and others. For more information about ecfirst’s Managed Compliance Services Program (MCSP) and other HIPAA consulting solutions including development of a proposal for addressing your contingency planning and enterprise security requirements, please contact Lorna Waggoner at 1.877.899.9974 x17 or at Lorna.Waggoner@ecfirst.com.
- Active RFID Benefits in the Hospital Environment - Webinar
An Invitation to a Signature Learning Series FREE Educational Webinar:
Register Now!
March 19, 2009
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (CST)
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. (PST)
Explore the success St. Joseph's Hospital has achieved through deployment of an asset tracking and automated wireless temperature monitoring solution, both of which leverage their existing Wi-Fi network.
- How Do You Know if Your Hospital is Ready for A Disaster? - Audioconference
An Invitation to a Signature Learning Series FREE Educational Audioconference:
Register Now!
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
1:00 - 2:00 pm (EST)
12:00 - 1:00 pm (CST)
10:00 - 11:00 am (PST)
What are the most important emergency preparedness activities for your hospital, and what methods should you use to assess these activities? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, in collaboration with other Federal agencies and non-governmental organizations, has developed and is implementing a nationwide assessment of its comprehensive emergency management program. Attendees will learn their findings from this effort and discover how to apply some of the invaluable tools within their own organizations.
- Telepsychiatry Program Brings Mental Health Services to Rural Maryland – Case Study
To ensure that specialty populations have access to appropriate mental health services, Mid-Shore Mental Health Systems is partnering with the University of Maryland Department of Psychiatry: the Mental Hygiene Administration, Garrett County Core Service Agency and St. Mary’s County Department of Human Services. Together these agencies are implementing the Maryland Telepsychiatry Program, taking advantage of TANDBERG video communications to connect psychiatrists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine with patients in rural Maryland.
To get a free copy of the complete case study, please email technologysolutions@aha.org
- Visit AHA Solutions at HIMSS 2009 – Trade Show
HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition
April 4-8, 2009; Chicago
Click here for more information!
Stop by booth #7407 to learn how AHA Solutions can be a resource to you. As an American Hospital Association (AHA) subsidiary, AHA Solutions collaborates with hospital leaders and market consultants to conduct product due diligence and identify solutions to hospital challenges in the areas of finance, human resources, patient flow and technology. AHA Solutions provides related marketplace analytics and education to support product decision-making and convenes people with like interests for knowledge sharing centered on timely information and research.
Stop by to learn more!
- Visit Cisco at HIMSS09 in Booth #3903 – Trade Show
HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition
April 4-8, 2009; Chicago
In today’s economy, it is more important than ever for hospitals to reduce costs. At the same time, we need to improve productivity with simplified workflows and secure access to critical information throughout the patient care process. The ultimate goal is to deliver better care along with an exceptional experience for the patient and hospital staff.
Visit www.cisco.com/go/himss09 to learn more about Cisco booth demonstrations and pavilion product sessions that can help you reduce costs, improve productivity, and deliver better care.
- HIPAA Amendments to Privacy and Security Rules in Federal Stimulus Bill - Webinar
An invitation to a webinar hosted by the Healthcare Compliance Association (HCCA):
Check here for registration details
Monday, March 30, 2009
12:00 – 1:30 pm (CST)
President Obama’s Stimulus Bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) contains provisions that could mean significant changes to your compliance program. Attend this webinar to learn about blockbuster changes to HIPAA privacy and security rules.
- HCCA’s 13th Annual Compliance Institute; April 26–29, 2009; Las Vegas
To Learn More and to Register, Click Here!
Join your colleagues in Las Vegas for HCCA’s 2009 Compliance Institute—the single most comprehensive compliance conference designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s healthcare compliance professionals and their staff. The 2009 Compliance Institute will be held at Caesars Palace from April 26–29, 2009.
- Cyber Security Strategy Discussion at NetSecure 2009 Conference
Ali Pabrai of the HIPAA Academy, will present on March 12 in Chicago at the NetSecure 2009 Conference.
To register or for more details, please visit www.ecfirst.com.
Topic: Cyber security is about applying the appropriate defense to protect your critical business assets. Businesses today are highly dependent on technology to deliver services, interact with customers and manage a supply chain. What is your cyber security strategy to ensure that you maintain a reasonable level of vigilance against cyber threats? Ali Pabrai – an expert on security and compliance – presents the rising risk to organizations from vulnerabilities in the enterprise and new mandatory regulatory requirements.
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