HIPAA Compliant Waiting Room

By Art Gross, President and CEO, HIPAA Secure Now!
Twitter: @HIPAASecureNow
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Let’s discuss the most bustling room in your healthcare practice- the waiting room. Whether it’s parents waiting for their children to finish their sessions, patients who arrive super early, or you’re having one of those running-behind days, having a HIPAA-compliant space is crucial to maintain patient privacy and security.

So, what can you do to ensure your waiting room is HIPAA compliant?

Here are the steps you can take:

1. Post a Notice of Privacy Practices: Your waiting room should have a prominent display of a notice of privacy practices outlining patient rights under HIPAA and how their PHI will be used and protected. This is an easy one and will give your patients peace of mind.
2. Use a Sign-In Sheet with Minimal Information: Keep it simple! The sign-in sheet should only require the patient’s name and appointment time. Removeable lines can even be helpful in preventing unauthorized access.
3. Use Privacy Screens: Put up privacy screens where patients may be discussing PHI, like checking in with the receptionist. Privacy screens can be a lifesaver, especially in small waiting rooms.
4. Use Secure Document Storage: Keep any documents that contain PHI, such as intake forms, off of desks and in a secure location to prevent unauthorized access. This includes both physical and electronic storage. Locked cabinets or encrypted files will do the trick!
5. Use Confidentiality Agreements: Have all staff members, including volunteers, sign confidentiality agreements outlining their responsibilities to protect patient privacy and PHI. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page.
6. Use Clear Policies and Procedures: Develop and enforce clear policies and procedures for handling PHI in the waiting room. This includes guidelines for discussing PHI in public areas or guidelines for handling lost or stolen PHI. Don’t forget about the IT/security side of things!
7. Train Staff: Train your staff members on HIPAA regulations, privacy, and security policies and procedures, including how to handle PHI in the waiting room. Make sure everyone is well-versed in HIPAA compliance to prevent any mishaps.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your waiting room is welcoming, private, and secure. Remember to regularly review and update policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance. Your patients will appreciate your effort to keep their information safe!

This article was originally published on HIPAA Secure Now! and is republished here with permission.