HIPAA, the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,” provides federal protection of patient health information. As part of our continuing efforts to educate employees, these HIPAA-related messages will be distributed the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
Today’s HIPAA message is about Internet downloads.
QuestionCan I download any information (files, documents, programs, etc…) from the Internet?
Answer
Yes, but in order to ensure availability of network resources, including the PHI we are responsible for keeping secure, it is important to use caution when downloading information from the Internet. Only download information from trusted sources and ensure virus protection is active with a current updated release. Virus protection is automatically implemented by your IS staff (do not manually adjust the settings without working with your IS support person).
If you’re a manager, please ensure all of your employees are informed of the contents of these messages and how it applies to your work area. Some ways of sharing the information include discussions during staff meetings, printing and posting this message or asking your employees if they have any further questions.