A Decade of Dedication – The HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit

HIMSS Marks the Upcoming 10^th Anniversary of the HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit with New Additions

It all began when a few wise folks decided to create the “”definitive information resource” on electronic information systems and computer-based patient records (CPR). “  (Wow, those are some dated terms!)

Almost 10 years ago, volunteers/subject matter experts working with the Computer-Based Records Institute (CPRI) created an online information toolkit.  Soon thereafter, CPRI merged into HIMSS and a significant addition was made to the toolkit – the addition of resources to help healthcare organizations comply with the HIPAA Security Rule.

Now known as the “HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit,” this collection of informational resources and tools to aid healthcare organizations in meeting their Privacy and Security requirements, has become a favorite resource of HIMSS members – It’s always among the most oft-clicked resources on the HIMSS website.

What an amazing group of dedicated HIMSS volunteers – we have several dozen folks working on current and upcoming projects – some have been involved for the entire 10 years! Kudos!

Preview of Upcoming Additions

^New!  The HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit for Small Provider Organizations

In late February, HIMSS will unveil the “HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit for Small Provider Organizations.”  Targeting the needs of these small providers, HIMSS and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) (www.mgma.com) have partnered to create the HIMSS Privacy & Security Toolkit for Small Provider Organizations. This useful and practical toolkit will assist first in understanding the rapidly changing privacy and security environment, and then help providers implement an appropriate set of policies and procedures that best meet the needs of their organization.

Watch for the roll out of this Toolkit in conjunction with the HIMSS Annual Conference in Orlando, February 20-24, 2011.

^Future!  The HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit on Patient Identity Integrity

This summer, as a follow-on to its landmark “White Paper on Patient Identity Integrity,” and related testimony to HHS on the challenges of patient identity and record matching, HIMSS will provide a new toolkit content area.

Developed by the HIMSS Patient Identity Integrity Work Group, a group of HIMSS volunteer members from all stakeholder groups, the purpose of the The HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit on Patient Identity Integrity is to provide resources related to the complex issues relating to the accuracy and completeness of electronic health data attached to or associated with an individual patient and the linking of all such data within and across systems. This Toolkit will provide insight into the critical business processes that must be in place to support and maintain the integrity of the data for quality of care, patient safety and cost management and provide related practical resources.

Watch this blog space and the HIMSS P&S Toolkit page for further developments.

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Help Us Grow the HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit(s)

HIMSS members are always encouraged to contribute to the Toolkits by sharing credible tools and resources they have found valuable, submitting ideas for new content or providing feedback that will help enhance this resource.  All submissions will be reviewed by the HIMSS P&S Toolkit Content Review Task Force prior to posting.

See the “Submit a Tool” button on the Toolkit landing page – or contact me directly!

See you at the HIMSS Conference!