Description:


The organization has implemented robust policies and procedures to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI) from improper alteration or destruction, aligning with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These measures ensure the integrity and availability of ePHI, preventing unauthorized changes and ensuring its preservation for authorized purposes.


Access Controls:

Strict access controls are in place to limit access to ePHI to authorized personnel. This prevents unauthorized individuals from making alterations or deletions.


Data Backup and Recovery:

Implementation of regular data backup procedures to create redundant copies of ePHI. These backups are securely stored and can be utilized for recovery in the event of accidental alterations or data loss.


Version Control Mechanisms:

Employment of version control mechanisms for critical ePHI, ensuring that changes are tracked, documented, and reversible. This enhances accountability and facilitates the restoration of accurate information.


Audit Logging and Monitoring:

Utilization of audit logging and monitoring systems to track changes made to ePHI. This provides visibility into alterations and enables timely detection of any suspicious activities.


Training and Awareness Programs:

Ongoing training and awareness programs for personnel to reinforce the importance of data integrity. Employees are educated on best practices to prevent accidental alterations or destruction of ePHI.


Priority: High


Category: Data Integrity and Availability


Services Associated with AWS:


Amazon S3 Versioning

Amazon Glacier for Backup:


Services Associated with Azure:


Azure Blob Storage Versioning:

Azure Backup


Objective Evidence:


Documentation of Policies and Procedures:

Detailed documentation outlining policies and procedures for protecting ePHI from improper alteration or destruction.


Audit Logs and Monitoring Reports:

Records generated from audit logs and monitoring systems demonstrating the tracking of changes to ePHI and the detection of any unauthorized alterations.


Training Records:

Documentation of training programs attended by personnel, confirming their awareness of policies and procedures related to ePHI integrity.


Possible Technology Considerations:


- Automated Alerts for Suspicious Activities

- Immutable Storage Solutions

- Regular Data Integrity Checks

- Secure Data Destruction Processes


What Needs to Be Answered:


  • How effective is the version control mechanism in tracking changes to critical ePHI and preventing unauthorized alterations?
  • How frequently are data backups performed, and what measures are in place to ensure the timely recovery of ePHI in the event of data loss?
  • To what extent are employees aware of and trained on policies and procedures for protecting ePHI from improper alteration or destruction?
  • How does the organization respond to and rectify detected alterations or unauthorized changes to ePHI?


More Details:


Our commitment to protecting ePHI extends beyond compliance, incorporating proactive measures such as version control, data backup, and employee training. This multi-faceted approach ensures the ongoing integrity and availability of critical health information.