PHI on a hospital landing page

Hospital landing pages are gateways for patients seeking information, scheduling appointments, or exploring available healthcare services. However, amidst the convenience of online platforms, hospitals must comply with regulatory guidelines, particularly those specified by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Understanding PHI and HIPAA compliance

Protected health information (PHI) encompasses sensitive data concerning an individual's health status, medical history, or treatments. HIPAA regulations require healthcare providers to safeguard the privacy and security of PHI, preserving its confidentiality on digital platforms and other forms. Any inadvertent disclosure of PHI may result in a data breach.

Related: HIPAA violations & enforcement

The importance of HIPAA compliant landing pages

Hospital landing pages serve as digital front doors, welcoming patients and providing them with essential information about services, specialties, and contact details. While these platforms enhance patient engagement and healthcare accessibility, they must comply with HIPAA regulations to safeguard patient privacy and uphold ethical standards.

See also: 

• What is the key to HIPAA compliance?
• HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide

Creating content that respects privacy standards

• General information and services: Hospital landing pages can offer comprehensive overviews of the institution's services, specialties, and facilities without delving into specific patient data. 
• Appointment scheduling and contact information: Providing secure portals for appointment bookings and general contact information ensures accessibility while maintaining confidentiality. 
• Educational resources and wellness tips: Empowering patients with knowledge about health conditions, preventive care measures, and wellness tips promotes proactive healthcare management. 
• Testimonials and reviews: Patient testimonials and reviews offer valuable insights into the quality of care provided by the hospital. However, testimonials must be anonymized, omitting any identifiable patient information or PHI. 
• Provider information and expertise: By presenting healthcare providers along with their credentials and areas of expertise, patients develop a sense of familiarity with and trust in them.
• Health news and community outreach: Hospital landing pages can serve as hubs for health news, community events, and outreach programs.

Watch: Business associate agreements are important

FAQs

Can PHI be encrypted?

Yes, HIPAA requires encryption of protected health information (PHI) and electronic PHI (ePHI) of patients when the data is at rest.

Go deeper: What is encryption?

Is HTTPS enough for HIPAA?

While HTTPS provides an essential layer of security for data transmission over the internet, achieving HIPAA compliance requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond encryption in transit.

Related: Understanding HTTPS

What is considered a breach of PHI?

An impermissible use or disclosure of PHI is presumed to be a breach unless the covered entity demonstrates that there is a “low probability” that the PHI has been compromised.

See also: FAQs: All about HIPAA breaches