Know the ropes of social media in healthcare to avoid costly penalties from HIPAA

[Roger Steven]

Any healthcare organization that is active on the social media is vulnerable to some or another kind of Protected Health Information (PHI) breach. Although a healthcare practice or business benefits greatly in terms of marketing and publicity from the judicious use of the social media for; data stored on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or Instagram leaves it susceptible to data breaches.

HIPAA requires that the business or practice maintain utmost confidentiality, privacy and integrity of patient information, failing at which can invite huge penalties. With the HHS currently carrying out audits and imposing a minimum fine of $10,000, it is all the more imperative for Covered Entities and Business Associates to become compliant while at the same time engaging patients actively.

Get the procedures right to get social media practices right

So, for practices and businesses to ensure that they get these aspects right; it is important for them to understand how to get HIPAA-mandated procedures right.

It is this understanding that a highly valuable webinar from Compliance4All, a very well-known provider of professional trainings for all the areas of regulatory compliance will be offering.

At this webinar, the speaker, Paul Hales, an attorney at law whose practice includes specialization in the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules right from the dates they became effective; will explain the ways by which participants can implement the right social media practices without violating the provisions laid out by HIPAA.

To enroll for this meaningful and educative webinar, please log on to http://www.mentorhealth.com/control/w_product/~product_id=800823LIV...

Balancing patient engagement and the use of social media

At this session, Paul will discuss the policies and procedures that when implemented will help healthcare practices and businesses to ensure compliance with the usage of social media, marketing efforts and website development.

If a practice’s or business’ social media practices have to be free of the harmful effects of the misuse of the social media; their staff has to be aware of the marketing aspects, as well as the nature of the websites and the devices used to access these portals. Paul will drive home this point.

The learning that Paul will impart at this session will be an accurate, comprehensive and easy to implement way of patient engagement that will go far beyond the usual rituals like posting a notice or opt-out message. He will reference examples and recent breaches.

Paul will cover the following areas during this presentation:

Patient Engagement Tips: Protect Patients' Privacy and PHI, Build the Relationship

Social Media: Reviews, Testimonials, and Likes

Marketing: Phone Calls, Emails, and Text Messages

Websites: What to Post and Not to Post

Portable Devices and Electronic Communications Network