How do I avoid HIPAA violations?

As a pharmacy or primary care facility, part of your job is to keep your patients’ protected health information (PHI) secure and private. This helps ensure you are in full HIPAA compliance. If you are disposing of pill bottles in any capacity, all sensitive patient information (including prescription number) must be adequately obscured or removed. This can involve scratching the numbers or information off, blacking it out with permanent marker, or covering it with duct tape. Following these practices means your practice is not vulnerable to the fines or other punitive actions associated with HIPAA violations.