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Since its implementation one year ago, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has made strides to ensure that patient confidentiality compliance standards are met in and around BWH.
Heading up the HIPAA Privacy taskforce is Debra Polansky, HIPAA Privacy project manager, BWH Health Information Services. Since 2001, Polansky has provided effective management and organization regarding hospital-wide HIPAA Privacy compliance.
“BWH has always adhered to a strict privacy policy, and our task was to make it consistent with federal requirements,” she said. “Almost 12,000 people needed HIPAA Privacy standard training, and we provided that through a variety of options, including approximately 85 lectures and computer-based online modules. We brought it down to a personal level, making staff think about how they would feel if the roles were reversed. This did away with a lot of desensitization.”
In her role as project manager, Polansky’s key responsibilities in the fledgling stages included coordinating all on-going activities related to the development, maintenance of and adherence to HIPAA Privacy policies and procedures.
Currently, Polansky manages the accuracy and consistency of HIPAA Privacy core training for the BWH workforce. Now that one year has passed, refresher/review modules are available to staff concerning HIPAA myths, misconceptions and over-compliance.
“Since last April, my role has evolved to include acting as a liaison between Health Information Services and other departments, physicians and vendors. I strive to maintain an effective working relationship with BWH staff and employees in identifying HIPAA privacy, security and confidentiality issues, and establishing corrective action guidelines,” said Polansky.
BWH staff can brush-up on their HIPAA knowledge during National Privacy and Security Week, April 11 - 17. In recognition of this week, BWH Health Information Services and the BWH Confidentiality Taskforce is hosting a table in front of the Cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 12, 13 and 16.
For more information on HIPPA visit (www.bwhpikenotes.org) and click on “Compliance Corner.”