Steps to mange HIPAA audit risks

A HIPAA compliance audit examines how well a healthcare organization follows HIPAA regulations to protect patient information. If an audit finds a risk, the organization must swiftly assess it, create a detailed plan to fix the issue, assign responsibilities and timelines, communicate the plan, implement it, monitor progress, and adjust as needed. 

What is a HIPAA compliance audit?

"The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act requires HHS to periodically audit covered entities and business associates for their compliance with the HIPAA Rules.". 

A HIPAA compliance audit is an evaluation conducted to assess an organization's adherence to HIPAA regulations. It analyzes how well the organization safeguards protected health information (PHI), ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive patient data. It involves assessing security measures, privacy policies, breach response procedures, staff training, and more, aiming to maintain the highest standards of patient data protection.

Read more: How to conduct a HIPAA compliance audit

Understanding the uncovered risk

The risks uncovered during healthcare audits vary in nature and potential impact. They can include vulnerabilities in data security protocols, gaps in regulatory compliance, shortcomings in patient care procedures, and potential breaches of patient privacy. Assessing these risks involves considering their severity, likelihood of occurrence, and urgency of mitigation. 

Related: Understanding the HIPAA breach risk assessment tool

Actionable steps in managing uncovered risks

1. Assessing the risk: This stage involves a comprehensive evaluation of the risk, its potential consequences, and the areas of the organization it affects. Healthcare organizations must gauge the immediate impact and the likelihood of recurrence.
2. Developing a corrective action plan: Identify the root cause of the risk. That requires a thorough analysis of processes, systems, and human factors contributing to the identified risk. Additionally, create feasible solutions and set clear timelines for their implementation. 
3. Implementing the corrective action plan: Staff members should be informed about the risk, the corrective measures, and their roles in implementing them. 
4. Evaluating and adapting: Once implemented, assess the effectiveness of the corrective actions. This evaluation helps in identifying any loopholes or areas that require further attention. Adapt the plan based on these evaluations to ensure a more robust risk management strategy.
   
   

FAQs

How often should a healthcare organization conduct internal HIPAA compliance audits?

Healthcare organizations should ideally conduct internal HIPAA compliance audits annually to ensure ongoing adherence to regulations and to address any emerging risks promptly.

What are the penalties for failing a HIPAA compliance audit?

Penalties for failing a HIPAA compliance audit can include substantial fines, corrective action plans mandated by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and potential legal action depending on the severity of the violations.

Can third-party vendors be included in a HIPAA compliance audit?

Third-party vendors who handle PHI are subject to HIPAA audits, and organizations should ensure that these vendors comply with HIPAA regulations through proper agreements and regular monitoring.