The rise of telehealth in physical therapy has been a game-changer, allowing practitioners to provide remote care to patients. However, with the shift to work-from-home arrangements, it is necessary to be mindful of HIPAA regulations to ensure patient confidentiality and data security.
HIPPA and telehealth
In a post-COVID study conducted by the Journal of the Physical Therapy Association, telehealth was used for 47.2% of all physical therapist sessions, showing just how much the trend of telehealth is on the rise. Specifically, telehealth was employed for 88.9% of new patient sessions and 36.9% of follow-up sessions. As physical therapists transition to telehealth, it's necessary to prioritize HIPAA compliance, considering patient information's privacy and security, especially in remote work environments.
Securing your WiFi network
Securing your WiFi network is one of the first steps to maintaining HIPAA compliance during telehealth sessions. Ensure that your router is password protected, and if it is an older model, consider upgrading to WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2), the current industry standard. Regularly check your router settings to verify the strength of your network security and change the default password if needed.
Related: What is WPA?
Conduct telehealth sessions in private locations
To maintain patient confidentiality, conduct telehealth sessions, calls, and video conferences in private locations. Find a dedicated space in your home to have uninterrupted conversations without the risk of being overheard. This not only ensures compliance but also enhances the professionalism of the therapeutic relationship.
Verifying patient identity
When contacting patients by phone, verify their identity before discussing sensitive information. Although most patients nowadays have cell phones, confirming that you speak directly to the intended recipient is prudent. Take a moment to verify the patient's identity and ensure you are not inadvertently disclosing confidential information to the wrong person.
Read more: Case study: Common data sharing practices among telehealth services
Digital documentation
Working from home presents an opportunity to transition to a paperless practice and minimize the need for printing. Shredding documents securely at the office may not be feasible at home, so it's best to avoid printing whenever possible. Embrace digital documentation and work with electronic records to reduce the risk of physical documents falling into the wrong hands.
Password security
While web browsers offer the convenience of saving passwords, it is advisable not to save sensitive login credentials. Resist the temptation and commit your passwords to memory, keeping them where they belong – in your mind. Additionally, ensure that your computer or tablet has a strong password and multi-factor authentication as an extra layer of security.
See more: 5 Steps to improve password security in healthcare
Keep your devices up to date
Regularly updating your computer, tablet, and other devices is helpful when maintaining security. These updates often include security patches and improvements that help protect against vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates whenever possible to ensure your devices are running the latest software versions.
Run anti-virus and malware programs
Protecting your devices from viruses and malware maintains the security of patient data. Use reputable anti-virus and anti-malware software and ensure it is set to run regular scans. Most operating systems have built-in security features, so verify that they are enabled and functioning correctly. Regularly update and maintain these programs to safeguard against emerging threats.
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQs
How does HIPAA apply to telehealth in physical therapy?
HIPAA applies to telehealth in physical therapy by requiring the secure handling of protected health information (PHI) during remote consultations. It mandates the use of secure communication platforms and the implementation of privacy safeguards to protect patient data.
Can physical therapists use popular video conferencing platforms for telehealth while remaining HIPAA compliant?
Physical therapists should use telehealth platforms designed for healthcare that offer HIPAA compliant encryption and security features. While some popular video conferencing platforms have business associate agreements (BAAs) for their healthcare-specific services, verify their compliance with HIPAA regulations.
How can physical therapists ensure patient consent and privacy in telehealth sessions?
Before telehealth sessions, physical therapists should obtain patient consent for remote treatment and clearly explain the privacy measures in place. This includes using secure and encrypted communication channels and ensuring patients are in a private location during the telehealth session.
What are the best practices for ensuring HIPAA compliance in physical therapy telehealth?
Best practices include using HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms, conducting regular risk assessments for telehealth technology, training staff on telehealth security and privacy protocols, and implementing policies for the secure transmission and storage of patient data.
Related: How HIPAA compliant email can improve telehealth services
Farah Amod
