Wireless office responses were few but helpful. Thanks to those that posted
responses.
Original Post:
Interested on thoughts and suggestions from the field on the use of wireless
networking in the O and P office. We are at the beginning stages of considering
wireless networking in the office and wanted to see what safeguards need to be
in place or system setups to secure the wireless network and transmission of the
patient’s PHI to remain HIPPA compliant. Thanks in advance for all responses,
Keith M Smith CO LO FAAOP
Responses:
I am not the IT guy but we have two different log ins. The patient’s log in
does not allow entry to our servers.
We have a wireless network that is set up where there is a patient password and
then a company password. The patient can just access the internet and not our
file server. We needed two hot spots for a 11,000 sq ft building.
I run 2 wireless systems in my office. There is one that uses a slower
broadband connection (DSL-3mb/s) that came with my office space, that is
used for patients that have smart phones..it is wireless b/g. Then there is
our business network which uses a much faster (Cable – 15mb/s) broadband
connection (from a different provider), that is wireless N only, WPA2
encryption. Using strong encryption and only the faster Wireless N is
important as is keeping business and others completely apart.
Also, our office systems require passwords to access PHI and our router only
allows access to approved MAC addresses.
An advantage of having the two broadband connections is that we can switch
connections in just a few minutes if our primary goes down.
“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop
laughing.”
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