The document outlines the 11 most common HIPAA violations, emphasizing the importance of employee training and proper management of patient information. Key violations include mishandling medical records, using insecure technology, and failing to obtain proper patient consent. The document also highlights the risks associated with lost devices, improper disposal of records, and sharing patient information on social media.

1. 11most common
HIPAA violations

2. Lack of Employee
Training
Proper employee education and
training can help your organization
avoid some of the most common
HIPAA violations.

3. Medical Record
Mishandling
Using paper records increases the
likelihood that a chart may be left out,
exposing protected contents to
unauthorized individuals. Locking
computers when not in use ensures
protection of electronic medical records. .

4. Using Insecure
Technology
Utilizing insecure technology to share
PHI information poses a huge risk of
exposing your organization to a
potential breach.

5. Hacking and
Malware
It is essential that you have anti-
virus and/or anti-malware
software installed on all of your
devices and that each instance of
this software is updated regularly.

6. Authorization
and Patient
Signature
Patients must give written consent
for the use or disclosure of any of
their PHI that is not used for
treatment, healthcare operations,
or payment.

7. Disclosing the
Wrong Patient's
Information
Once you receive the necessary
written consent from a patient, it’s
imperative that you release the
correct patient’s information.

8. Improper
Disposal of PHI
Proper disposal methods include both
electronic PHI records and any written
records. Best practice to dispose of PHI is
through shredding, destroying, and hard
drive wiping.

9. Lost or Stolen
Devices
If devices containing PHI are lost
or stolen, it is important that the
necessary safeguards are put into
place so that PHI is not exposed.

10. Social Media
Sharing
The frequent use of social media
highly increases the chances that a
post containing patient photos will be
shared on social media.

11. Gossip and
Conversational
Breaches
If devices containing PHI are lost
or stolen, it is important that the
necessary safeguards are put into
place so that PHI is not exposed.

12. Celebrity File
Lookups
Discussing PHI is always off limits.
This also includes gossiping about
patients to friends and family
members outside of work.

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11 Most Common HIPAA Violations

14. DESIGNED BY
Maria Clark
Marketing Analyst and Graphic Design Intern