Over the past several decades, the integration of technology into the patient experience, especially electronically captured data, has given providers a true 360-degree view of their patients.
To enable more personalized experiences, many healthcare organizations still use Google Analytics to collect and analyze data but is it secure and in compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)?
As data collection becomes embedded in every phase of the patient journey, ensuring security and managing data effectively should be a top priority for you. Let’s dive into how you can build a secure healthcare data ecosystem while continuing to deliver seamless and more proactive care.
What is HIPAA?
To ensure the privacy and security of patient data, healthcare organizations are legally obligated by HIPAA – a federal law that sets standards for processing, storing and disclosing sensitive protected health information.
HIPPA law requires healthcare organizations to protect the privacy of patients and the confidentiality of their health data, as well as to provide patients with access to their health records on request.
Is Google Analytics HIPAA-compliant?
In their HIPAA disclaimer, Google states that Google Analytics doesn’t comply with HIPAA requirements. They do not intend uses of Google Analytics to create obligations under HIPAA. Furthermore, if you are (or become) a Covered Entity or Business Associate under HIPAA, you may not use Google Analytics for any purpose or in any manner involving Protected Health Information (PHI).
Healthcare providers who pass any trace of PHI into Google Analytics will be breaking HIPAA regulations and may be subject to financial penalties by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
What are HIPAA-compliant alternatives to Google Analytics?
Protection and confidentiality of patient health information started in 1996 when The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed. In recent years, there have been several high-profile healthcare data breaches, ranging from Equifax exposing the personal information of 145 million people to a more recent Advocate Aurora Health informing 3 million patients that their protected health information was shared with Google and Facebook and potentially other vendors as a result of using a Pixel tracking tool on their patient portals. As a result of such breaches, providers are under increasing pressure to take more serious measures to protect their patients’ health information.
One way to do this is by using HIPAA-compliant alternatives to Google Analytics.
Steer Health’s patient experience and growth platform is trusted by leading healthcare organizations. Our team has extensive experience building patient experiences that are secure, reliable, and scalable.
Steer Health gathers real-time insight from patient engagement and powers personalized conversations through multiple channels, including our HIPAA-compliant chatbot, 2-way SMS, Email, and Virtual Voice Assistant.
At Steer Health, we take the trust placed in us by our customers very seriously. The security landscape changes quickly, and we adapt our security mechanisms to match.
