The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Personal Health Information: Technical Safeguards to outline the measures that all covered entities, including independent community pharmacies, need to take in order to protect the electronic health information of their patients.
In addition to the four safeguards of access control, the other standards outlined by HHS include audit controls, integrity, person authentication and transmission security. However, determining what’s appropriate for your independent community pharmacy isn’t always clear, and it can be difficult to know if your current pharmacy computer system addresses all your security needs.
Take a look at these four articles from our Pharmacy Electronic Security Series, and see how your pharmacy’s safeguards stack up.
1. Pharmacy Electronic Security Part 1: Audit Controls
You have some leeway when it comes to implementing audit controls in your pharmacy, depending on the needs and functions of your computer system. You can use audit controls to monitor activity on your system, to find and prevent violations and more. Find out what you need in your pharmacy. read more
2. Pharmacy Electronic Security Part 2: Integrity
It’s important to have mechanisms in place to ensure the integrity of the electronic protected health information in your system. Here are some steps to help you determine which mechanisms your pharmacy needs. read more
3. Pharmacy Electronic Security Part 3: Person Authentication
As a pharmacy, you need measures to verify the identity of those accessing your electronic protected health information. Learn more about how to set up person authentication in your pharmacy. read more
4. Pharmacy Electronic Security Part 4: Transmission Security
Your electronic protected health information needs to be secure not only in your own computer system, but while it’s being transmitted to and from your pharmacy, too. Read about the measures you can take to protect your transmitted information. read more
These standards may be required, they’re also best practices for electronic security in your pharmacy. Act now to stay compliant—and secure.
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