What to Look for in HIPAA-Compliant Healthcare Software

At a time when expert hackers are more adept and willing to steal people’s sensitive online information, it’s absolutely vital to incorporate HIPAA-compliant software into your healthcare organization’s tech landscape. Violating HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules could result in paying expensive fines, revocation of licenses, or, in some cases, serving time in jail. Not only will this protect patients’ information, but it also protects your facility’s integrity, legitimacy, and responsibility.

Before examining what healthcare facilities should look for when choosing their software, it’s important to understand what exactly HIPAA-compliant software development entails and how these key features can benefit you and your patients.

Why is HIPAA-Compliant Software Important?

When medical software is deemed HIPAA-compliant, it simply means DevOps engineers enhanced the software’s safeguards by developing robust encryptions for Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). This advanced software often includes privacy management solutions, risk assessment, policy management, frequent auditing and monitoring, incident response, and documentation maintenance.

What Are the Benefits of HIPAA-Compliant Healthcare Software?

One of the most beneficial aspects of leveraging HIPAA-compliant software is preventing your organization from acquiring costly penalties. HIPAA non-compliance fines can reach as much as $50,000, depending on the severity of the violation, of course. Additionally, HIPAA provisions for covered entities can seem convoluted, mainly because not all of them apply to specific roles. Some staff members might be unaware of violating HIPAA regulations until the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services comes knocking on their door. That’s why Chetu’s expert engineers develop healthcare software that’s compliant with relevant HIPAA standards.

Aside from monetary reasons, software with HIPAA compliance provides robust encryption, access control, and proper data storage measures, protecting patients’ medical and personal information. It also provides a risk mitigation plan designed to constantly monitor and identify vulnerabilities within the system. There are also HIPPA-compliant remote patient monitoring systems for wearable medical devices and telehealth physicians.

From a customer service standpoint, HIPAA-compliant software helps maintain patients’ trust and loyalty. Some people are weary about consulting with healthcare professionals due to previous negative experiences. If their medical data is at risk or, worse, compromised, their distrust for medical care could continue to grow. Even if it doesn’t completely dismantle their trust, that patient will likely find another healthcare provider.

Another consideration is having a secure payment system that won’t infringe any HIPAA policies. HIPAA-compliant scheduling, accounting, billing, and transcription software ensures that your patients’ financial information is safe.

Checklist for HIPAA-Compliant Software Development

At Chetu, we follow these five checkpoints when developing HIPAA-compliant software for our valued healthcare clients.

• Encryption

It wouldn’t be HIPAA-compliant software without the necessary encryptions. SSL backs Chetu’s data encryption and allows your patients’ ePHI to be safely stored, backed up, and accessed by authorized users. Transport encryption can also ensure that your patients’ ePHI is safely transmitted.

• Access Management

All passwords and user IDs must be highly secure to guarantee HIPAA compliance. Two-factor and biometric authentication are great solutions to prevent hackers from breaking through.

• System Logs

Chetu developers can program your system to write access and event logs, enabling your staff to track each login attempt as well as any changes made to PHI. Having a system log can help hold staff accountable and manage all activity.

• Storage Integrity

Upholding storage integrity means that any data collected or stored will not be damaged or tampered with. Your system must efficiently detect and report unauthorized activity.

• Safe Disposal of Archived Data

HIPAA Privacy Rule doesn’t have a specific medical record retention requirement, but according to state or local laws, medical data can be disposed of after a specific number of years. Data must be disposed of correctly and in accordance with HIPAA.

Key Takeaways

Federal law requires HIPAA compliance for any covered entity, including all ePHI. Therefore, your medical facility must implement HIPAA-compliant software to protect your medical practice and your patients, who entrust you with their health needs and sensitive data. Chetu developers produce HIPAA-compliant software tailor-made to fit your medical facility or system’s specific role. We follow a checklist that includes best practices for encryption, access management, system logs, storage integrity, and safe disposal of archived data.