By Polystr 
HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) has given patients the privacy they desire. However, it has also caused disruptions to how medical records are managed and maintained from an IT perspective. HIPAA breaches can have huge financial implications for healthcare providers and networks. Patients must be authorized to share data. HIPAA-related breaches of privacy cases have resulted in millions upon millions of dollars being paid out. This applies to your ITAD practices, too. It is crucial to find the right partner to assist you in your navigation.
Are you investing in IT? Better invest in ITAD too.
Modernizing IT-related healthcare practices requires infrastructure changes and software and hardware upgrades. However, these costs come with a price: the initial cost of business and the potential cost of liability or claims if incorrect patient information is stolen or leaked. You must account for the destruction of, shredding, and wiping your older devices and systems every time you upgrade.
Identity theft, hacking and data breaches can cause serious damage to a patient’s privacy or an organization’s reputation.
It is important to work with an ITAD partner that understands the rules of engagement, has a regularly-updated IT asset control policy, and can assess potential risks before they become a bigger problem.
There is a science to disposing of medical records. A strong ITAD vendor should have the ability to eliminate electronic medical records. Although HIPAA standards may not be universally applicable, there are guidelines, policies, and procedures you and your partner can follow to maintain confidentiality.
It’s all about the standards and controls. When disposing of potentially dangerous electronic material, your ITAD partner must adhere to a strict and rigorous environment- and socially responsible policy. They must also be familiar with the basics of OSHA and HIPAA compliance. Not only are your patients of concern, but also your colleagues and employees. They must also have a Chain of Custody, which will allow them to know who owns your digital assets, their history and whether they are secure.
Find your partner.
Arrow’s ITAD partners understand your compliance concerns and can help ensure maximum security for you and the maximum value of the electronic items that you dispose off when you upgrade or update.
This post was written by Steven Elia Co-Founder and Recycling Director at eCycle Florida. eCycle Florida is a R2 Certified electronics recycling company in the state of Florida. Our processes and procedures are dedicated to the proper destruction and recycling of your electronics. eCycle Florida is your go-to for electronic recycling in Tampa.