The AHA Exclusively Endorses Health Care Information Privacy, Security, Compliance and Risk Management Solutions from Clearwater Compliance, LLC
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced it has exclusively endorsed Health Care Information Privacy, Security, Compliance and Risk Management Solutions from Clearwater Compliance, LLC. AHA Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of the AHA, awards the AHA Endorsement to products and services that help member hospitals and health care organizations achieve operational excellence.
Following a proprietary due diligence process, Clearwater Compliance’s Health Care Information Privacy, Security, Compliance and Risk Management Solutions were selected for their excellence in enabling health care organizations and their business associates to protect patient information by helping them establish, implement and mature their information risk management programs.
Clearwater’s AHA Endorsed solutions guide organizations in understanding the regulations, identifying compliance gaps and taking the right steps to address risks through compliance, risk analysis and risk response software; technical tools; professional services; education; and training. The resulting improved risk management can help hospitals reduce costs associated with data breaches, ensure greater patient safety, improve the quality of care they deliver and uphold their positive reputations in their communities.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Final Omnibus Rule enacted in January 2013 strengthens the ability of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to enforce HIPAA patient data protections and significantly expands the number of hospital vendors in the “Business Associate” category held directly responsible under the HITECH Act for upholding patient data protection requirements. The majority of hospitals use more than 5,000 vendors1, and some of the largest breaches reported to HHS have involved business associates2. These factors, combined with the OCR’s stronger overall enforcement, can increase some hospitals’ risk for noncompliance penalties.
“Clearwater’s solutions stand out in part because they are backed by a team of veteran experts in HIPAA/HITECH and other health care regulations who understand and exclusively serve the health care field,” said Anthony Burke, senior vice president of the AHA, and president and CEO of AHA Solutions, Inc. “This deep expertise informs the unique architecture of Clearwater’s software and solutions, which rigorously follow the regulations, HHS/OCR guidance and the NIST Security Framework. The software enables organizations to evaluate compliance and risk; document results; manage and respond to compliance gaps and risks to their information; and report progress — ultimately allowing them to become self-sufficient in maintaining their compliance programs and managing their risks.”
“We have helped hundreds of health care organizations of all sizes to prepare for and respond to OCR audits and investigations, and to successfully establish robust compliance and overall information risk management programs,” said Bob Chaput, CEO and founder of Clearwater Compliance. “As a result, these organizations have improved processes, increased regulation compliance and reduced costs. The AHA Endorsement of our Health Care Information Privacy, Security, Compliance and Risk Management Solutions recognizes our commitment to assisting organizations that value the protection of patient information privacy and security.”
1 Gary Johnson. “Business associates: Understanding the true risks.” Health Management Technology. Published September 2014. Accessed 12/29/2014 from http://www.healthmgttech.com/articles/201409/business-associates-understanding-the-true-risks.php
2 “New rule protects patient privacy, secures health information.” HHS.gov news release, Jan. 17, 2013. Accessed 12/29/2014 from http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/01/20130117b.html
About the AHA
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, who include nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. Visit www.aha.org to learn more.
About AHA Solutions
AHA Solutions, Inc. is a resource to hospitals pursuing operational excellence. As an AHA member service, AHA Solutions collaborates with hospital leaders to identify key challenges the field faces. We then work with market consultants to conduct the proprietary AHA Signature Due Diligence ProcessTM and identify solutions. AHA Solutions provides access to content experts and education to support product decision making. As a subsidiary of the AHA, the organization convenes people with like interests for knowledge sharing that is centered on timely information and research.
AHA Solutions is proud to reinvest its profits in the AHA Mission: To advance the health of individuals and communities. For more information, contact AHA Solutions at 800.242.4677.
About Clearwater Compliance
Clearwater Compliance creates value by assisting healthcare organizations to establish, operationalize and mature their information privacy, security, compliance and information risk management programs. Led by veteran, C-suite healthcare executives, Clearwater provides a comprehensive set of capabilities, including by-the-regs HIPAA-HITECH compliance software and tools, risk analysis and management software, professional services, and a variety of educational events and resources.
Clearwater works with healthcare organizations and business associates that are serious about safeguarding the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) and that are committed to a continuous process improvement approach to managing information risk. Among its varied and loyal customer base, Clearwater serves covered entities ranging in size from major integrated healthcare systems and health plans to large hybrid entity retailers to specialty clinics and small medical practices. Business associate customers include law firms, consulting companies, third party administrators, medical billing companies, software hosting organizations, wellness and data analytic companies and many more, from Fortune 100 companies to healthcare startups. Find out more about our HIPAA compliance and information risk management software, solutions, education events and professional services at clearwatercompliance.com or connect with us via Twitter: @ClearwaterHIPAA
