Healthcare providers handle some of the most sensitive information there is. Patient charts, insurance forms, prescription details and billing statements all contain private health and financial data. When those records reach the end of their life, they can’t simply be thrown out. Healthcare providers are legally required to follow strict privacy regulations, and improper disposal can lead to serious fines.
KnightHorst Shredding helps hospitals, clinics and medical offices across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia destroy patient records securely and stay compliant with HIPAA.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Improper disposal of patient information is a compliance risk. HHS penalties range from $100 to $50,000 per violation, depending on the level of negligence. And it’s a common problem: according to an American Health Information Management Association study, nearly 30% of healthcare organizations reported non-compliance issues related to record retention and destruction.
Know Your Retention Requirements
Before records can be destroyed, they need to be kept for the required period. Healthcare providers must retain medical records for at least six years from the date they were created or last used, whichever is later. Once that period has passed, secure destruction protects both your patients and your practice.
What Healthcare Documents Should Be Shredded?
KnightHorst securely destroys all types of confidential healthcare records, including:
- Patient medical records
- Old client files
- Insurance forms and copies of health insurance documents
- Billing statements, carbon copies and summaries
- Prescription information
- X-rays and diagnostic reports
- Health cards
Old computers and devices that stored patient data can be destroyed too, with KnightHorst’s hard drive and media destruction services.
How KnightHorst’s Healthcare Shredding Works
- Secure collection. Locked shredding bins and consoles are placed at your facility, so staff can dispose of records safely throughout the day.
- Scheduled pickup. Documents are collected on a schedule you set.
- Secure destruction. Records are destroyed on-site in KnightHorst’s mobile shredding trucks, with real-time visibility, or transported securely to the facility.
- Certificate of Destruction. You receive documented proof after every service for your compliance records.
Flexible Options for Every Practice
Whether you’re a large hospital or a small medical office, KnightHorst has an option that fits:
- Recurring scheduled shredding keeps patient records from piling up and helps you maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- One-time purges are ideal when clearing out records that have passed their retention period, or when moving offices.
NAID AAA Certified
KnightHorst is NAID AAA Certified under i-SIGMA standards, verified through a comprehensive audit program. For healthcare providers, that means confidence that patient information is handled to the highest standards of secure destruction.
100% Recycled
Protecting patient privacy can also protect the environment. KnightHorst recycles 100% of the materials it shreds, turning them into new paper products and keeping waste out of landfills.
Protect Your Patients and Your Practice
Since 2004, KnightHorst has provided secure, on-site document and media destruction to organizations across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Call 877-474-7332 or email contact.us@knighthorst.com to set up HIPAA-compliant shredding for your healthcare facility. Learn more about healthcare shredding.
