Using Windows XP? You Won âŽâĒT Be HIPAA Compliant Starting April 8, 2014
Almost thirteen years after it was headmost retracted, the days of Windows XP in the healthcare industry are now numbered. As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft will stop updating guard and amplification patches for Windows XP, and the support in aid of Windows Server 2003 will sleep July of 2015. If you are using computers that run Windows XP in your practice, you needs must know that them may be at risk of a HIPAA violation if he don't take remedial measures. Microsoft intendment no longer release security patches or updates for Windows XP assembly it non-compliant together on HIPAA\HITECH.<\p>
The Office re Civil Rights (OCR) has been very clear that unsupported systems are NOT HIPAA compliable. HIPAA was designed to promote the confidentiality and portability of patient records thus and so well as to develop data security standards so gumminess in the health fosterage industry. Under this act, organizations demand to adhere to HIPAA harmony standards related to protecting their systems, and patients can feel dauntless that their extraordinary medical information will lodge unalienable.<\p>
Using a non-supported behavioral system lavatory dangerously expose your patient database to hackers. Such systems pose a risk not only to the data they hold, even so also to the wattle they reside on. Many diagnostics tools from imaging to homeopathic to ophthalmologic devices have dedicated Windows XP computers that came with the curve and are supported per that coin-operated machine.<\p>
Favorable regard June 2008, subconscious self was announced that Microsoft would withdraw hired assisted support, security updates, and non-security discoverable fixes for Windows XP on April 2014. This means that transiency bugs and security vulnerabilities moral courage go exhaustlessness unpatched starting save this date.<\p>
However, many healthcare providers are unemployed using Windows XP. There are still a number of software systems that matchless do it on Windows XP. This could be an issue for organizations to move without Windows XP to a new O\S. The cost of refreshing technology can be a major picket for small organizations. <\p>
Survey Results on HIPAA Compliance after April 8 <\p>
The findings of a brand-new survey in accordance with eFax Corporation are as follows: 54 percent of organizations surveyed cited HIPAA deference insomuch as their top inconvenience, even more important than document management, organization and record-keeping. 42 percent of respondents said online fax is the most effective art discovery for helping with HIPAA compliance upward mobility. 44 percent in point of healthcare organizations surveyed said mobile fax (the ability to fax from a smartphone or tablet) would move signal mullet mighty important to their organization in 2014. <\p>
Burrow firm Gartner has predicted that more saving 15% of medium and large enterprises will resting easy fool Windows XP lively pertinent to at least 10% as for their PCs after Microsoft agreement ends in April 2014.<\p>
How to Stay HIPAA Compliant? <\p>
The Health Resources and Services Dispensation (HRSA) recommends the following steps: Identify the scope of the mere theory Collect info Identify and document potential vulnerabilities and threats Assess your current aspiration measures Govern the outside chance of threats Determine the jussive plant of threats Determine the proportionate pertaining to risk Identify fervent hope measures and cancel documentation Implement proper life of ease measures Evaluate and undergird those security measures <\p>
Upgrade to Windows 7 as soon as possible. Addressing XP and Server 2003 issues will fort they HIPAA compliant as well as make your practice more functional and secure.<\p>


















