Healthcare Wireless Coverage and Security for HIPAA Compliance

Healthcare wireless networks are becoming a key component of the IT infrastructure for many healthcare providers. In healthcare, wireless networks provide greater efficiency and accuracy for healthcare applications such as bedside medication administration, emergency registration, order entry, physician rounding, and clinical documentation. As the paper chart gives way to computer-based patient records, mobile devices are becoming the primary point of clinical communications. This increase in healthcare wireless networks raises concerns regarding patient privacy and security.

HIPAA Wireless Compliance

In response to the concern of healthcare wireless security, many rules and regulations have been implemented. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) outlines requirements that healthcare providers must follow in order to protect their patients’ medical records. These requirements apply to both administrative components and technical aspects of healthcare wireless networks. HIPAA Compliance means that a healthcare wireless network meets all rules for implementing Protected Health Information (PHI) to ensure network and data security and to protect patient privacy.

Healthcare Wireless Solutions and HIPAA Compliance by BCI

BCI partners with companies like Motorola Solutions to provide healthcare wireless solutions that meet HIPAA compliance. HIPAA Wireless compliance rules and regulations are not always easy to understand and meet. BCI works with healthcare companies to ensure they both understand and meet all HIPAA wireless compliance regulations when designing, installing and managing their healthcare wireless network.

  • Meet HIPAA Wireless Compliance
  • 24/7 Wireless Intrusion Prevention and Wireless Vulnerability Management
  • Proven Healthcare Wireless Solutions
  • Protect Patient Privacy
  • Incident Reporting
  • Restrict Unauthorized Wireless Access
  • Reduce Labor required to maintain

HIPAA Compliance Details

There are certain sections of HIPAA that are very important when dealing implementing healthcare wireless solutions. Below you will find a brief summary of some important information pertaining to HIPAA Wireless compliance rules and regulations.

HIPAA Compliance for Access Control

The access control section states that in order for healthcare providers to meet HIPAA compliance they must have systems to ensure that only authorized users have access to electronic PHI.

HIPAA Compliance for Transmission Security

The transmission security section states that all electronic PHI transmitted over a wireless network must remain private. This is particularly important for wireless transmission of electronic PHI due vulnerability of the wireless medium.

HIPAA Compliance for Integrity

Electronic PHI should not be improperly modified or destroyed during storage transmission by a healthcare provider. With poor or no encryption unauthorized users can easily access wireless networks.

HIPAA Compliance for Audit Controls

The audit controls seHealthcare providers are advised to have IT and procedural mechanisms in place that examine and record activities related to electronic PHI access. So in case of a security incident there is an audit trail that can aid forensics. Healthcare providers need to be equipped with a proactive wireless vulnerability management system that monitors your wireless airspace 24×7 and logs any wireless security incidents such as Motorola’s AirDefense.

HIPAA Compliance for Response and Reporting

This section requires formal documentation and response procedures to be set up to handle wireless security incidents promptly. A good wireless vulnerability management solution can also serve as a wireless intrusion prevention system to automatically respond to any wireless security breach or anomalous activity. These are just some of the things to consider when building and maintaining a network that will meet HIPAA Wireless Compliance.