Rx2000HIPAA Digest, Volume 10 > > #1 From: BZimmermann@archbold.org Subject: RE: JCAHO > #2 From: MChuman@peacehealth.org Subject: Cell Phones > #3 From: WBROOKES@bchs.com Subject: RE: JCAHO > #4 From: WBROOKES@bchs.com Subject: RE: Cell Phones > #5 From: Vic.Sands@Camcare.com Subject: RE: Cell Phones > #6 From: Brenda.Plaag@danhosp.org Subject: RE: JCAHO > #7 From: dduenkel@stjosephswb.com Subject: RE: Cell Phones > #8 From: medimage@voicenet.com Subject: Re: Cell Phones > > > ********** Message #1 ********** > From: BZimmermann@archbold.org > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: JCAHO > Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 17:32:17 -0400 > > Just completed JCAHO inspection in 4 of our 5 hospitals this past March. > The only security question was how we ensured faxes got to the intended > recipient and did we aggregate this information?????? > > Bill Zimmermann > Archbold Medical Center > Bzimmermann@archbold.org > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 2:24 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: JCAHO > > > Last year Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare > Organization's > (JCAHO) announced that it intends to look at the strength of > security > systems in protecting health information as part of its > accreditation > process. > > For those of you that have had a visit from JCAHO this year, > what were their > questions regarding security? What are they expecting to > see hospitals > doing at this time? > > Thank you for your comments, > Leslie Harpe > > > > ********** Message #2 ********** > From: MChuman@peacehealth.org > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: Cell Phones > Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 15:41:05 -0700 > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly throughout > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > > ********** Message #3 ********** > From: WBROOKES@bchs.com > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: JCAHO > Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 07:11:52 -0400 > > > We just completed a survey with JCAHO on April 10 thru 12, 2000. A > couple of issues that were brought to our attention prior to their arrival > were access to IS Department and equipment, emergency preparedness for > system problems or shut-down (look at your Y2K plans), information security > at nursing stations and at other public areas (use of screen saver if > computer idle for couple minutes), and accessability to medical records ( > including reports found in EEG, EKG, Radiology, Cardiac Cath, etc.). One of > the quirks of the surveyor we had was finding CPUs directly on the ground. > We had purchased over 60 stands to get the units off the ground. If you > know who your survey person is going to be, find out from other hospitals > what their indivigual specialties are and what they will be looking for. I > did not hear of any problems in IS Department this time. > > William F. Brookes III > Director of Security, Valet Parking & Safety Officer > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 2:24 PM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > > Subject: JCAHO > > > > > > Last year Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization's > > (JCAHO) announced that it intends to look at the strength of security > > systems in protecting health information as part of its accreditation > > process. > > > > For those of you that have had a visit from JCAHO this year, what were > > their > > questions regarding security? What are they expecting to see hospitals > > doing at this time? > > > > Thank you for your comments, > > Leslie Harpe > > > > > > > > ********** Message #4 ********** > From: WBROOKES@bchs.com > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 07:37:52 -0400 > > > This is a hot topic. A couple years back, the hospital looked at > and reviewed cellular and other wireless communications devices and > addressed some concerns regarding what could be affected. Our policy > basicly stated that cellular phones were permitted in our Main Lobby, > Cafeteria, Doctor's Lounge and Ground Floor Meeting Rooms. In all other > areas, cellular phones are to be turned off due to the possiblity of > interference with electrical medical equipment that could result in harm to > our patients. Our bio-medical equipment company has a list of frequencies > that could effect medical equipment we own if the signal is transmitting at > close range. All our entrances into the building have signs posted to > turn-off cell phones while in building. In the event of cmmunications > failure, limited number of cell phones are brought to the nursing units to > use for necessary calls. By limiting there usage in the building, we have > increased our confidentiality concerns as well as other issues indirectly. > Enforcement of the policy is done by all staff members. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 6:41 PM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for > > Cell > > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly > > throughout > > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > > have two questions > > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > > employees? > > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > > Thank You. > > > > > > Margaret Chuman > > PeaceHealth > > 425.649.3871 > > > > > ********** Message #5 ********** > From: Vic.Sands@Camcare.com > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 08:02:38 -0400 > > We prohibit the use of all cell phones within the hospital. This was done > primarily to eliminate the risk of electromagnetic interference with our > medical equipment, such as telemetry. The new digital phones are much more > secure (privacy) and low-power than the old bag phones, but we have no plans > to lift the prohibition. > > We are considering the "very low power" digital wireless units that operate > on our own PBX. They appear to be a very good alternative to cell phones. > They don't work if you leave the hospital, but that helps them from being > stolen. > > Vic Sands > Project Management Office > Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc. > 3000 MacCorkle Ave, SE > Charleston, WV 25304 > Vic.Sands@camcare.com > 304-348-9033 (voice) > 304-348-5553 (fax) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 6:41 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly throughout > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > > ********** Message #6 ********** > From: Brenda.Plaag@danhosp.org > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: JCAHO > Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 08:33:32 -0400 > > We had a JCAHO mock survey just a couple of weeks ago. The surveyors asked: > > 1. How do you ensure passwords are changed and how often are they > changed? They then validated this by going to the nursing units and asking > staff when they last changed their passwords. > 2. How do you ensure that the person signing onto your systems really > is that person? > > They asked nothing of HIPAA, and when we brought it up, seemed not to know > what it was. However, the nurse surveyor with whom we were speaking was > somewhat new to the survey process. > > Brenda L. Plaag, RHIA > Information Security Manager > Information Technology Group > Danbury Health Systems > Phone: (203)797-7693 > E-mail: Brenda.Plaag@danhosp.org > > This transmittal is intended for a particular addressee(s). If it is not > clear that you are the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you > have received this transmittal in error; any review, copying or distribution > or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you suspect that you have > received this transmittal in error, please notify Danbury Health Systems > immediately by email reply to the sender, and delete the transmittal and any > attachments. > READER BEWARE: Internet e-mail is inherently insecure and occasionally > unreliable. Please contact the sender if you wish to arrange for secure > communication or to verify the contents of this message. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 2:24 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: JCAHO > > > Last year Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare > Organization's > (JCAHO) announced that it intends to look at the strength of > security > systems in protecting health information as part of its > accreditation > process. > > For those of you that have had a visit from JCAHO this year, what > were their > questions regarding security? What are they expecting to see > hospitals > doing at this time? > > Thank you for your comments, > Leslie Harpe > > > > > ********** Message #7 ********** > From: dduenkel@stjosephswb.com > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 07:49:48 -0500 > > I too am interested in this subject and would appreciate any information you > can share with me. Also, does anyone know of any potential problems with > using cell phones in a hospital setting. I am aware of some hospitals > banning the use of cell phones and we are considering what our position > should be on this issue. Thank You > Daryl J. Duenkel > Director of Information Services > St. Joseph's Community Hospital of West Bend, Inc. > dduenkel@stjosephswb.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 5:41 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly throughout > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > > ********** Message #8 ********** > From: medimage@voicenet.com > To: > Subject: Re: Cell Phones > Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 10:20:16 -0400 > > > Cell Phone usage is generally not allowed in Hospitals. > Cellular signal strength is also poor within them. > > dk > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 6:41 PM > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for > Cell > > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly > throughout > > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > > have two questions > > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > > employees? > > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > > Thank You. > > > > > > Margaret Chuman > > PeaceHealth > > 425.649.3871 > > > >