Tip of the week: Perform regular security checkups to prepare for potential audits
HIM Connection, February 5, 2008
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There are several benefits to the security checkup, says Kate Borten, CISSP, CISM. First, the main goal is to identify and mitigate common security and privacy issues. People are the weakest link in security compliance. To strengthen that link, your organization must monitor human behavior and reinforce good practices. Those good practices help ensure the privacy and security of an organization's patient records and other confidential information.
In addition to identifying problems, this monthly checkup instructs and reinforces the good practices that the organization's work force training identifies. For example, a clinical area surveyor who observes someone throwing away patient-related documents without shredding them can take the opportunity to point out what could happen if someone went dumpster diving and found them. This is also an opportunity to identify work flow or operational weaknesses contributing to the security lapse, such as a lack of a nearby shredder.
Editor's note: This tip was adapted from the January 2008 issue of Health Information Compliance Insider. For more information, click here.
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