Thanks for choosing OC Cloud9!

949-699-6619 | 9am – 6pm Monday – Friday : Saturday by Appointment

  • Client Login
    • Outlook Web App
    • Cloud Apps and Desktops
    • Remote Support
OC Cloud9
  • About Us
    • Careers
  • Cloud Services
    • Cloud Software
      • Cloud9 Software QuickBooks Solution
    • Cloud Mail
    • Cloud Collaborate
    • Database Cloud Services
    • Cloud Web Hosting
  • Solutions
    • For Designers – Accelerated
    • For Businesses – Complete
    • For Individuals – Professional
    • HIPAA Compliant Cloud Services
      • Cloud9 HIPAA Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention
    • For Students – College VDI
  • Support
    • Cloud Support
    • Learning Center
    • Standards & Compliance
    • News & Articles
  • Contact Us
Get Started
  • About Us
    • Careers
  • Cloud Services
    • Cloud Software
      • Cloud9 Software QuickBooks Solution
    • Cloud Mail
    • Cloud Collaborate
    • Database Cloud Services
    • Cloud Web Hosting
  • Solutions
    • For Designers – Accelerated
    • For Businesses – Complete
    • For Individuals – Professional
    • HIPAA Compliant Cloud Services
      • Cloud9 HIPAA Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention
    • For Students – College VDI
  • Support
    • Cloud Support
    • Learning Center
    • Standards & Compliance
    • News & Articles
  • Contact Us

HIPAA Compliant Cloud Solutions

OC Cloud9 > News & Articles > Uncategorized > HIPAA Compliant Cloud Solutions

HIPAA Compliant Cloud Solutions

Sep 29, 2017DeborahUncategorized

HIPAA Compliance, an all familiar buzzword in the Healthcare Industry has been one of the many catalysts pushing change in current Cloud Solution infrastructure parameters and security solutions provided by specialized IT Solutions providers. The growing demand for HIPAA compliant Cloud Solutions creates many potential patient health information (PHI) data breaches for practitioners that may not be properly informed by their IT Solutions Provider. So what exactly can IT Solution Providers do to keep their clients compliant?

Healthcare IT Compliance for physicians, medical groups, clinics and dental offices isn’t rocket science however there are many “consultants” or “compliance officers” that will tell you differently. It’s fairly basic if your IT Solution Provider has the correct infrastructure set up in the first place. Here at OC Cloud 9, we have collaborated with many IT Providers over the years and from our experience, the general consensus is that only a handful of IT Providers actually know what security criteria needs to be provided to health care providers following HIPAA compliance guidelines. Here’s  a brief history lesson about how we gotten to where we are today…

HIPAA Compliant Cloud Solutions

Medical and Dental Practices have been subject to site reviews and chart audits for decades. The criteria for these audits has obviously transformed with the times as well. In 2009, when the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act was passed, the HITECH Act was pushed through congress at the same time.  The purpose of the HITECH Act was for the United States to implement a nationwide Electronic Medical Records database which was to be the foundation for the Health Care Reform Act that President Obama so eagerly wanted to pass. Providers were incentivized for early adoption. The sociological benefit of having this type of national database would be to assess our nation’s health as a whole, engineering federally funded disease management programs, public health campaigns and disease prevention initiatives. One could then say that this would be tied into the Healthy People 2020 Initiative which charges our nation to improve identified health benchmarks among certain age groups and populations with identified health issues (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, depression, etc.).  Hence the data would be used to justify national studies of wellness factors and disease states, launching health promotion campaigns. Effective in 2013, HIPAA Technology Solutions Providers are now held accountable for the infrastructure and security firewalls/encryption from the location housing the data that is provided to health care providers when storing and accessing patient health information. This new audit criteria until now was uncharted territory for regulatory agencies. Prior to 2013, medical and dental practitioners would be held accountable for their compliance. Now IT Solutions Providers are responsible for the encryption and security protocols as well as a portion of the fines associated with breaches. This new compliance variable makes it even more imperative for health care providers to work with IT Companies that are versed in HIPAA regulations and experienced in providing the correct security infrastructure and access required.

The adoption of Electronic Medical Records technology and patience confidentiality truly was the catalyst that sparked the fire of compliance required today. Health Care Providers need to choose a competent and experienced IT Solutions Provider to protect electronic medical records in a secure HIPAA compliant environment. For further information about HIPAA Compliant Cloud Solutions, contact a member of our OC Cloud9 technical team at (949) 699-6619 or contact us by clicking here.

Written by Deborah

Deborah is the Director of Network Operations at OC Cloud 9. She oversees the daily Operations of the company. She has been working with Orange County Computer, Inc., the parent company of OC Cloud9, Inc., since 2003. Prior to working in the IT Industry, her area of expertise was in regulatory compliance in the Healthcare Industry working with state and federal regulatory agencies. She acts as our interpreter regarding all HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. Deborah's office mantra is "Keep the client happy" and she will act as the liaison between a client request and a technical barrier to resolving as issue. She is happy to help. In her spare time, you might find her paddle boarding in the ocean or skiing in the mountains.

You might also like

  • Distinguishing Between Public, Hybrid, & Private Cloud Solutions
  • Protecting Your Medical Practice With Our HIPAA Compliant Cloud Solutions
  • How to Improve Network Security in Healthcare Practices
  • Why is virtualization and the cloud so important?
  • Coronavirus and Working Remotely in the Cloud
  • What is better than Cloud Computing?
  • Cloud Computing vs Virtualization: The Differences and Why They Matter to You
  • When Disaster Strikes…How will you protect your business?
  • Quest Diagnostics Data Breach
  • Windows Server 2008 End of Support: What That Means to You and Your Business
  • Cloud Solutions and Disaster Prevention…How will you protect your business?
  • Cloud Resellers vs. true Cloud Service Providers
← Mac Malware is Coming! Protect your data: Move to a private cloud solution!
What is the cloud →

Search

Categories

  • Blog
  • Cloud Learning Center
  • Education
  • Inside OC Cloud 9
  • Remote Workforce
  • Uncategorized

Sign Up To Receive Our Newsletter

    26150 Enterprise Way, Suite 400
    Lake Forest, CA 92630

    949-699-6619

    ADA Accessibility Statement

    Sign Up To Receive Our Newsletter