HIPAA NOTICE: Microsoft Windows XP will not be HIPAA Compliant as of April 8, 2014

Microsoft has announced that as of April 8, 2014, they will not release any security patches for the Windows XP operating system. Without this support, Windows XP will be non-compliant with HIPAA. If you are using Windows XP, we encourage you to speak to your IT department to discuss possible options to remain HIPAA compliant.

What does this mean for you?
If you have any computers in your practice running the Windows XP Operating System, you should plan to either upgrade the operating system or replace the computer with a computer that has a newer operating system (Windows 7 is suggested). Using a computer with Windows XP after April 8, 2014 will be a HIPAA violation and put your practice at risk.

Click here for a good article from 'HITECH Answers' that covers this Windows XP / HIPAA issue and suggests steps to take to be compliant.

I urge you to contact your IT Vendor to discuss this very important deadline and engage them to help upgrade or replace any of your computers that are running Windows XP.

Optum PM and Physician EMR Users:

• If you will be purchasing new computers or laptops, remember to purchase a computer with the Windows 7 Operating System (not Windows 8). Optum PM and Physician EMR needs Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, 9 or 10 to operate efficiently and Windows 8 doesn't support those versions of Internet Explorer.
• If you do not anticipate having your Windows XP computers replaced by April 8th, I would urge you to address your plan in your HIPAA Risk Assessment which is required for Meaningful Use attestation.

If you have concerns, questions, or need to reach us please call (800) 372-7790 (toll free) or email geoffl@webhstech.com.

Thank you,

Geoff Lusty
Vice President
Healthcare Support Technologies, Inc.
www.webhstech.com
Email: geoffl@webhstech.com
Phone: (800) 372-7790 #23