HIPPA (or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was signed into law in 1996, with full compliance expected by 2003. HIPAA is a multi-stage plan to improve and simplify the healthcare system, and particularly to protect patient security. One of the most seemingly difficult areas to maintain this security is in conversation. While the solution is simple, and relatively inexpensive, a great many professionals struggle with this question - how does one provide conversational confidentially?
The easiest and most cost effective solution is a
white noise machine. What is white noise? White noise is named for white light. While white light encompasses all the colors of light the eye can see equally, white noise combines all frequencies of sound at one time. A white noise machine produces white noise, often in a repeating pattern. It is often compared to the sound of a fan, and masks other ambient or nearby noise, as well as concealing conversation being had near the machine itself.
There are a great many kinds of white noise machines available, many with additional sound features meant to sooth or relax a person as well as the white noise that anyone nearby will not be able to discern what is being said, thereby feature. When using a white noise machine to maintain HIPAA regulations, look for one specifically pitched to mask conversation between two or more persons. The white noise works as a sound barrier, protecting both the patient and the provider. However, the noise level produced is low enough that the actual conversation can be carried out by the people in the area with the machine in normal tones, and in a comfortable fashion.
Sound machines are often used in homes as well, for their soothing properties. Sound settings such as "Rain", "Waterfall", "Tropical rainforest", and many others are popular for creating a certain kind of atmosphere. When using a sound machine, or white noise machine, to create conversational confidentially in an office situation, it is seamless and comfortable for all parties to have a machine that has such a dual function. The machine can be left running on a different sound setting during the regular workday, and the setting simply switched to the "white noise" setting before beginning to discuss personal matters.
Regardless of the floor plan of your office - open, cubicles, or private offices - there has been great success in the difficult yet important task of creating and maintaining auditory security though the use of white noise machines.
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Labels: conversational privacy, hippa compliance, office privacy, sonet, white noise
