Question
What can be done in the office to avoid violating oral media and have you heard of sound masking for this?
Answer
There are several environmental and technical products available that can assist in protecting health information delivered via oral media. My knowledge of sound masking is that it is the addition of artificial noise/sound to reduce or eliminate awareness of pre-existing sounds. Many office areas, treatment areas and classrooms have false ceilings and thin walls that allow for sounds, including conversations, to be heard in nearby areas. Utilization of this "white noise" can be very effective in reducing the risk of protected health information being compromised. However, continuing education and constant awareness of our surroundings when discussing health information is key to privacy.
This Ask the Expert was taken from the course entitled: HIPAA: Impact on Privacy presented by Rex Crosby, OTR, Director of Continuous Quality Improvement.
Rex A. Crosby, OTR, has many years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings including Inpatient Rehab, Acute Care and Outpatient Neuro and Pediatric Rehabilitation. Rex also has extensive SNF experience as a clinical OT and Therapy Program Manager.
Rex Crosby Otr
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