HIPAA, the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,” provides federal protection of patient health information. You will be receiving weekly messages to help you understand the topic and how it impacts your job. Today’s HIPAA message talks about proper disposal of confidential information.
Question:How do you properly dispose of confidential information?
Answer:Confidential paper waste should be disposed of in the blue desk-side recycling bins or other labeled recycling containers. Locked recycling bins have been deployed throughout the campus. Environmental Services personnel place all recycling materials into locked bins. These locked bins are transported to the UNMC recycling center where the paper is baled, securely transported to another state and pulverized.
Refer to Destruction of Private and Confidential Information Procedures.
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.