California Physician

Untitled

HIPAA Tip: Hospital Staff Training Requirements
[Posted 05/14/03]

For More Information

"HIPAA For Procrastinators: What to do now!" A CME Program for Medical Staffs, Group Practices and their Office Workforce

Survey: Help Us
Help You With HIPAA

HIPAA ToolKit on CD-Rom

HIPAA Tip Index

HIPAA Help Center

Physicians who have privileges at several hospitals complain that they are being required to complete the same HIPAA training at each hospital. The privacy rule is somewhat ambiguous as to the relationship between medical staff members and their hospitals. While HIPAA does require a hospital to train its "workforce" on the privacy rule, CMA legal counsel does not believe staff members generally should be considered members of the hospital's workforce. Some hospitals, however, are being cautious and requiring physicians to complete HIPAA training.

Physicians who have already received HIPAA training may wish to notify their hospitals of the training they have received, confirm that they have read the hospital’s "Notice of Privacy Practices," and request that the hospital accept this training in lieu of any additional training. Although hospitals are not required to waive their HIPAA training requirements, CMA legal counsel does not believe that hospitals have a legal obligation to require anything more from physicians who provide such documentation.

Physicians who have not completed any HIPAA training, and wish to do so, can request that their hospital sponsor HIPAA training for the medical staff. For information on how to schedule a CMA-sponsored HIPAA training seminar at your hospital, click here. Participants can earn CME credit.

Contact: Steve Fleisher, 415/882-5159 or steven@fleisherlaw.com.

SEE YOUR AD HERE