HIPAA regulations ensure that healthcare organizations safeguard patients' protected health information (PHI). While HIPAA does not explicitly address email subject lines, the best practices should be examined to ensure HIPAA compliant email communication.
HIPAA was established to safeguard the privacy, security, and integrity of patients' protected health information (PHI). It applies to covered entities such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. Email is a convenient communication channel in the healthcare industry, prompting the need to understand the implications of email communication within the scope of HIPAA regulations.
While HIPAA does not explicitly mention email subject lines, they can still pose risks to patient privacy if not handled carefully. Email subject lines are often visible even before the email is opened, making it imperative to avoid disclosing sensitive information. Including specific medical details or identifiable information in subject lines could expose PHI to unauthorized individuals.
To remain HIPAA compliant, it is recommended to adhere to the following best practices when crafting email subject lines:
Note: A secure email service, like Paubox, will encrypt the subject line, making it possible to send PHI without the risk of violating HIPAA guidelines.
While email subject lines are an important aspect of HIPAA compliance, it is equally important to consider the broader measures for maintaining HIPAA compliance in email communication. Organizations should:
While HIPAA does not explicitly address email subject lines, adhering to best practices allows healthcare professionals to maintain HIPAA compliance and protect patient privacy in email communication. By using generic and non-descriptive subject lines, avoiding specific medical details, and ensuring proper encryption, healthcare organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure of PHI.
Related: What violates HIPAA in email?