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Emergency Plan? HIPAA? - anon

Posted: Jul 02, 2013

Received an interesting e-mail from the next higher up over our supervisor and one thing that was talked about was having an emergency plan in case of equipment failure and DSL going down, etc. I have to say I am kinda chuckling at this. A follow up e-mail from a supervisor suggested going to Starbucks where they have free Wi-Fi. I was thinking this would like be a HIPAA problem (maybe not). The other suggestion was going to a relatives house. Another suggestion was owning a laptap that was more portable. I am pretty sure there is no why I could concentrate over a long period at Starbucks (not to mention my shift exceeds their hours) and I will work my shift to the best of my ability but if my DSL goes down I will wait for it come up. If it is going to be a longterm thing, I may seek other options but I think the expectation here borders on ridiculous.

You are correct, working on any - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
unsecure free Wi-Fi such as Starbucks would be a problem for HIPAA. You could ask her for clarification on how big of a HIPAA violation that would be, it would certainly get her attention.

It would only be a violation if.... - SouthernBelle

[ In Reply To ..]
the client ADT gives info in the header you receive that anyone could figure out who the patient is. For example, if it only gives a name, MR#, dates it wouldn't be a threat as much as those that show name, DOB and I hate this one - SS#. Also if the hospital on the software uses their full hospital name it's a bigger threat than if the hospital has themselves identified on the system as say an acronym. For example John Doe Hospital on the system might have what you see as JDH. Personally I'd never work from a Starbucks or hotel either unless super senior management signed off that they would be responsible for the risk and not try to fire me.

DEFINITE HIPPA violation - Unreal

[ In Reply To ..]
This suggestion is definitely a HIPPA violation and this person will probably lose her job for such a suggestion, because someone is surely going to make mention of it to someone higher up. This statement leaves Nuance open to MAJOR violations of HIPPA. Just imagine patient information, doctor information, hospital information on unsecured WiFi and how that could be used. My only prayer is that the ax falls on NUANCE and not this supervisor, but I think her days are now going to be numbered. The other suggestion of using a friend's internet is just as stupid unless you KNOW for SURE that they are secured. As for buying a laptop - well - pay me a decent wage and I might be able to! But at this moment, if my internet goes down I am down until it goes up. If my computer crashes, I am down until I can somehow scrape together enough money to buy a new one or get this one fixed.

Print a copy of that email. Contact ethics and report the incident and HIPPA violation. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
Nm

FYI - IT'S HIPAA GUYS NOT HIPPA - I used to make that mistake too - Sadielady

[ In Reply To ..]
No big deal, just thought I'd mention it. :)

HIPAA - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
The person who makes the suggestion is not the one committing the HIPAA violation, it is the person who carries out the act who gets in trouble. That would be like someone asking you to look up their chart; if you did it, you would be the one in trouble, not them. If you worked on an unsecured Wi-Fi network, that could be a problem. If your DSL goes down at home, having a laptop is not going to do you any good. However, there are password protected Wi-Fi networks available. I have read posts on this board from MTs suggesting to other MTs that they take their laptop and go work at Starbucks or take it with them when they travel. Does that mean they have committed a HIPPA violation? The supervisor at Nuance may be ignorant of HIPAA rules, but she will not lose her job for making a suggestion, only the person who carries it out.

I don't have a laptop, using a PC so when I'm down - sm - ridic

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm down. If I made more money (LOL) then maybe I could afford a laptop to use in case of an emergency. Right now, the pittance I make needs to go towards keeping a roof over my head, keeping my utilities on and buying a few groceries.

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