Maintaining HIPAA
Compliance & Other Benefits
of Windows 10 in Healthcare

On January 14, 2020, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7^†. For hospitals and other healthcare providers, the end of support for Windows 7 also means an increased risk of liability for HIPAA violations^‡. Although it’s possible to purchase extended security updates through January 2023, the cost of doing so will be high and is expected to increase over time^†.

While this may appear to be bad news for the healthcare organizations that still use the 10-year-old operating system, it may be just the incentive you need to capitalize on the performance and security improvements offered by Windows 10.

For more information about the end of Windows 7 support and the options available, click here.

Upgrading Offers Significant Benefits

For healthcare organizations, upgrading to Windows 10 can offer many important benefits, including:

1. Better security. Information security is particularly critical for healthcare providers and their business associates, who have strict obligations under HIPAA and other federal and state laws to maintain the security and integrity of protected health information (PHI). Windows 10 has several features that help organizations meet these obligations. They include^§:

• Device and application protection tools that restrict the types of software a device can run and help defend systems against malware.
• Identity protection tools that safeguard credentials and prevent unauthorized access, using hardware-based multifactor authentication, biometric access controls (such as fingerprints or facial recognition), and other techniques.
• Information protection tools that automatically encrypt sensitive data across multiple devices.
• Automated, cloud-based security patching.

Keep in mind that Windows 10 doesn’t necessarily comply with HIPAA “out of the box.” Microsoft has partnered with security software provider HIPAA One to develop detailed recommendations for configuring Windows 10 in a HIPAA–compliant manner^¶.

2. Enhanced mobility. Windows 10 works across a variety of medical equipment, computers, tablets, and mobile devices, greatly extending the reach of mobile care. This allows doctors, nurses, and other care team members to access critical electronic medical record systems and collaborate (via voice, chat, text, or video) from virtually any location, inside or outside the hospital.

3. Improved patient care. By extending the reach of health information and collaboration, Windows 10 can help improve patient care by making it easier for patients to connect with health professionals at a convenient place and time. And, according to Microsoft, it helps improve care by creating more engaged patients: “By connecting new devices and platforms,” Microsoft says, “long-term care and chronic disease management can be extended to the home, and patients can proactively manage their health and wellness^§.”