Table of Content
- Introduction
- Why Online HIPAA Training Matters?
- Benefits of HIPAA Compliance Training for Your Organization
- Be HIPAA-compliant to be Future-Ready
Data security has become the biggest challenge in the healthcare industry. For instance, the largest medical health record breach happened in 2015, when data of 79 million patients was compromised. In 2019, more than 41.4 million patient records were breached in the United States.
Given the magnitude of the problems, every covered entity needs to establish and abide by the laws regarding how it can access, maintain, and share medical data. This brings us to HIPAA training for organizations.
Are you responsible for training your employees on HIPAA compliance? If so, you know how it can be a daunting task. There are plenty of regulations to remember, and new updates are being released all the time. However, being compliant with HIPAA will be simple when you enroll for online HIPAA training?
Why Online HIPAA Training Matters?
HIPAA compliance training is an essential aspect of any organization’s overall training and development program. With companies handling sensitive patient data, the online HIPAA training has to be structured depending on the industry and nature of the business activities carried out.
However, the ultimate goal of the training is to ensure that the employees understand their responsibilities, follow ethical standards, and act legally and appropriately.
Here are some reasons why you should include online HIPAA training in your development program.
- Legal compliance: HIPAA training ensures that your employees are aware of the legal requirements that affect their work and prevents legal violations that can lead to penalties, fines, and criminal charges.
- Risk Mitigation: HIPAA training reduces the risk of potential investigations, lawsuits, and legal disputes by educating employees about the laws and regulations related to the specific requirements.
- Build trust: Online HIPAA training will build trust between an organization and its patients, investors, and stakeholders. When your employees understand and follow ethical standards, they are less likely to engage in deceptive or illegal activity that will harm your organization’s reputation.
- Enhanced Productivity: HIPAA compliance training helps employees understand their roles and responsibilities, which will increase your organization’s productivity and efficiency. When your employees are well-informed and well-trained, they are more confident in their work.
Benefits of HIPAA Compliance Training for Your Organization
Are you considering introducing an online HIPAA trainingprogram into your organization? HIPAA training is beyond ‘ticking the box’ of HIPAA Complaint. It is an ongoing process that requires regular and periodic sessions.
The frequency depends on several factors, including the organization’s size, the roles and responsibilities of employees, and any changes in HIPAA regulations. Here are five ways you can benefit from the training.
It Promotes Ethics and Workplace Safety
HIPAA compliance training ensures that employees are aware of company policies, codes of conduct, and legal requirements to prevent compliance issues, such as cybersecurity breaches. Training on health and safety topics will not only meet compliance requirements of the workplace but also boost your organization’s culture.
Your employees will stay confident that you care about your overall healthcare and occupational safety, improving their performance in the organization.
Organizations that prioritize HIPAA compliance training and certification are considered to be valuable credentials among patients. A positive reputation enhances the bottom line while promoting your organization’s corporate culture. The training can play a vital role in improving a company’s regulation by promoting a culture of integrity and ethical behavior.
When employees are well-informed and well-trained in HIPAA compliance, that aligns with values, policies, and legal obligations. It also informs your patients that your organization is dedicated to ethical behavior.
HIPAA compliance training establishes legal responsibility so employees can be held liable for any malpractice or non-compliance, mitigating legal risks for the organization. The training demonstrates that employees have been aware of their responsibilities and they are expected to comply with legal requirements. It can increase your team’s liability if they fail to meet those requirements, as they will be trained and informed.
Who is Required to Complete Online HIPAA Training?
A Comprehensive online HIPAA training course encompasses various topics to ensure compliance where the participants should be educated on the specific policies and procedures. It includes understanding how you handle and protect PHI, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring proper authorization. Here are some professionals who require HIPAA training.
- Healthcare Providers – These include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals who have instant access to patient health.
- Covered entities – Organizations like hospitals, clinics, and health insurance companies that handle PHI (Protected Health Information).
- Business Associates – Third-party vendors and subcontractors who have access to PHI while delivering services to covered entities.
- Administrative Staff – Employees who have access to handle medical records, billing, and coding.
- IT Professionals – IT professionals who maintain the electronic health records (EHR) and other digital platforms to store PHI.
- Legal and Compliance Teams – Staff who are responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with healthcare laws and regulations.
Be HIPAA-compliant to Be Future-Ready As the workforce grows across various industries, employees need proper guidance and training to keep up with the latest HIPAA standards. Therefore, every healthcare organization should incorporate onlineHIPAAtraining for its employees to stay compliant and maintain a secure environment for their patient data. Investing in flexible HIPAA training will enhance your team’s knowledge and protect your reaction in the long run.