HIPAA does not require encryption for voice communications.
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K6GBW
Member
No, it doesn't, but it also says that you must safeguard PII and Patient Medical Information. So how are you safeguarding it when you broadcast it over an unencrypted radio frequency? Trust me, I'm very very familiar with HIPAA and what is required. Anyone broadcasting anything about patients over a radio is playing with fire.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Exactly. That's why the hospital HIPAA compliance officer should be involved in this, not a hobby radio site.
murse_joe
Member
Hospital radios don't need to be encrypted. The issue is using this radio on GMRS and using GMRS for unlicensed hospital activities. It reeks of somebody just buying cheap radios instead of understanding the issue. I'd bet the previous radio person was an old firefighter or ham who knew what they were doing. The new radio person thinks they know better and can save a lot of money.
K6GBW
Member
I never said that hospital radios need to be encrypted. But broadcasting patient information over an unencrypted radio would absolutely get you in hot water.
I know of some hospitals that use Motorola DMR radios with "Privacy" turned on, which is better than nothing, as long as they are not using some easy "key".
One has also been found that uses DTR series radios, if you don't leave them defaulted, they can be very secure.....the frequency hopping helps. But the power output limits range.
Always options, even for hospitals.
One has also been found that uses DTR series radios, if you don't leave them defaulted, they can be very secure.....the frequency hopping helps. But the power output limits range.
Always options, even for hospitals.
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2024
- Messages
- 30
§ 95.1771 GMRS emission types.
Each GMRS transmitter type must be designed to satisfy the emission capability rules in this section. Operation of GMRS stations must also be in compliance with these rules.
(a) Each GMRS transmitter type must have the capability to transmit F3E or G3E emissions.
(b) Only emission types A1D, F1D, G1D, H1D, J1D, R1D, A3E, F3E, G3E, H3E, J3E, R3E, F2D, and G2D are authorized for use in the GMRS. Equipment for which certification is sought under this subpart may have capabilities to transmit other emission types intended for use in other services, provided that these emission types can be deactivated when the equipment is used in the GMRS.
In today's day in age, most small businesses and franchisees want cut cost, so they employ FRS radios, rather than LMRS radios. I agree that Patient First or Urgent Care, should consider using LMR or FHSS, since they usually have to relay sensitive information from the Intake Desk to Medical Staff. Using FHSS would make sense since FHSS is nearly impossible from someone to monitor. LMR digital systems may offer some security depending on whether or not their LMR license allows for encryption.
Then again, the Wi-Fi intercom networks are secured and would allow for HIPA compliance. Similar to OPENSKY system, which I think the Public Safety should consider using, especially to keep information secured.
Then again, the Wi-Fi intercom networks are secured and would allow for HIPA compliance. Similar to OPENSKY system, which I think the Public Safety should consider using, especially to keep information secured.
There is so much Misinformation being spewed about HIPAA and radios. Unless you are giving out the persons name date of birth and any other personally identifiable information to the Pt. It is not a HIPAA violation. You can say your taking the PT in Room 1 to Xray, you need a nurse in 2 , Not Ronald Mc Donald who is 65 lives on Sesame St. in Springfield is needing to use a bedpan..
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
The FCC license doesn't have anything to do with encryption. If a user in the land mobile radio service is properly licensed, they can use encryption if they want. The FCC doesn't care.
OpenSky is dead, Harris doesn't sell those systems anymore. Those few bastards that still have OpenSky systems are moving off them. OpenSky lost out to P25.
I guess I really don't pay attention to the world of Radio Communications. I apologize for being out touch with up-to-date technology. I knew that certain part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, OPENSKY was being used. I assume now they probably abandoned OPENSKY for something else. Then again, I'm not sure. Anyway, I really think it's a mistake that PATIENT FIRST or URGENT would use radios that maybe fine for retail businesses. Dealing with Medical information, you defiantly don't anyone but that inside facility to hear the information being past.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Not a problem, we're all here to learn. OpenSky, being a proprietary system, fell out a favor pretty quickly. Plus, it seemed to have a lot of issues. Most of the modern Harris radios will still support it for those customers that run OpenSky, but they stopped selling new systems quite a while back.
I agree. While HIPAA does not require encryption, it does not mean it should not be used. I've got some radios at a medical facility, and I made sure their talk groups were fully encrypted. Just no reason not to run encryption now, from a professional standpoint. I think the reason why we see health care centers running analog or clear digital is because they just don't understand and are probably buying random crap off Amazon.
In California, the hospitals usually use the Med-Com freqs/System and in Southern California the H.E.A.R. system in addition to the Med-Com system..
Several emergency rooms in my area, use headsets on 464.55 [67.0] for comms between reception desk and various ER personnel. (despite having a DMR repeater system for security & maintenance) I found it very useful when my mother was hospitalized. Not only was it unencrypted, but one hospital was on same freq/tone as the hostess at a nearby restaurant. SMH...
73/Allen (N4JRI)
73/Allen (N4JRI)
OkieBoyKJ5JFG
Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2022
- Messages
- 5
The irony of this situation is that within a hospital, they're unlikely to need more than the 2 watts allowed on FRS or MURS radios. For less money, they could have gotten Radioddity MU-5s and they could have gotten decent FRS radios for even less. FRS radios don't have the panache of the Samcom, but the MU-5 is every bit as cool-looking.
