• Guidelines for maintaining privacy during verbal communications. • The process for reporting breaches or near ‑ breaches.
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Ongoing In-Service Training:
– Regular refresher courses (at least annually) are conducted, highlighting updates in regulatory guidelines and any changes to internal procedures. – Role ‑ specific training modules are available for staff working in clinical care, IT management, and administrative roles. 3. Competency Assessments: – Periodic assessments evaluate staff understanding of confidentiality policies and their practical application in everyday tasks. – Assessment results are recorded in the centralized HR system, and any deficiencies trigger additional training and performance reviews. 4. Documentation of Compliance Training: – All training sessions, completion certificates, and periodic competency evaluations are logged in the HR system. – The HR department maintains an updated record of all staff compliance with confidentiality requirements, ensuring that the agency can address any audit gaps promptly.
f. Regulatory References and Compliance
Our confidentiality policy is built upon key regulatory frameworks and industry best practices: • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): This serves as the foundation for safeguarding all PHI, setting forth requirements for privacy, security, and breach notification. • Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act: Enhances HIPAA by promoting the adoption of secure health IT systems and ensuring that electronic records are stored and transmitted safely.
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State Privacy Laws and Regulations: State ‑ specific regulations and licensing requirements provide additional guidelines for managing sensitive client information. TennCare Guidelines: Ensure that all information handling practices align with state ‑ funded care delivery mandates. Agency-Specific Policies: Our internal policies, including those on Service Documentation, Incident Reporting, and Staff Health and Safety, are referenced to ensure that our
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