What Businesses Need to Know About HIPAA-Compliant Shredding
Compliant Shredding Begins with the Right Professional Shredding Company
We have many laws in place to protect people’s personal information. The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was designed to protect sensitive patient health information (PHI). Often, many think HIPAA applies only to hospitals and clinics. In reality, it applies to any business that handles medical records. They can be insurance agencies, law firms, billing companies, and some employers. If your company falls into any of these categories and fails to secure PHI, the results can be devastating. They may face a data breach, hefty fines, and the loss of their customers’ trust. Partnering with a reliable, professional shredding company can be the ace up your sleeve in developing a secure HIPAA compliance strategy.
Why Proper Document Disposal Matters
It is not uncommon for businesses to underestimate the risks posed by having physical records. Paper files that sit in storage or are tossed in the trash can easily be accessed by the wrong person. HIPAA requires that personal health information be completely destroyed when it is no longer needed for its intended purpose. This rule applies to both paper and digital records. A HIPAA-compliant shredding process ensures that:
- Documents are completely destroyed so that they are unreadable and unrecoverable. Basically, they cannot be pieced back together.
- Disposal follows strict compliance standards, protecting your organization from fines and penalties.
- Paper and electronic records are adequately destroyed, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Features of a HIPAA-Compliant Shredding Program
Not all shredding services give you the same service. To meet HIPAA requirements and maintain compliance, a shredding provider should offer:
- Secure collection containers placed at your office for safe storage of sensitive records.
- Routine or one-time shredding services to handle your ongoing needs or large cleanouts.
- On-site or off-site shredding options with processes that ensure the highest security standards.
- A Certificate of Destruction to give you proof that your materials were destroyed correctly.
- Trained and vetted personnel who understand HIPAA compliance requirements and know how to handle your documents securely.
- Hard drive and media destruction for your computers, backup tapes, and USB drives.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Even if you and your team understand HIPAA requirements, you can slip up when it comes to properly disposing of records. These mistakes can put your company at risk of data breaches or fines. Some common pitfalls you may face include:
- Holding on to records longer than necessary increases your storage costs and legal exposure.
- Throwing old files in the trash, where unauthorized individuals and identity thieves can easily access them.
- Forgetting to properly destroy digital storage devices, leaving sensitive information recoverable.
- Failing to train your staff on compliance policies, which can lead to unintentional violations.
Stay Compliant and Protect Your Reputation with Crown Information Management
Managing document compliance in-house can be a stressful task. Crown Information Management makes it easier. We make the process simple, efficient, secure, and compliant. Enjoy our full-service solutions for your paper and electronic records, including routine shredding, one-time purge services, secure digital media destruction, and document storage and indexing. Whether you use our walk-in feature or have a regular schedule, our services meet the highest security standards and include a Certificate of Destruction for your records. Our team understands the challenges you face and can handle all your shredding needs. Contact us today for more information.
For experienced assistance with HIPAA compliance, walk-in shredding, media destruction, scanning, indexing, records management, and document storage, contact Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. Put our team to work for you. We are a SOC1, NAID AAA, and PCI-certified company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
