Rentacrate Prevents Unauthorized Access to Paper As Required by HIPAA; Innovative HIPAA Carts Secure Protected Health Information

Dozens of industries that handle patient data have been inundated by messages about the protection of electronic data. But what about paper records? HIPAA applies to electronic, oral AND paper data. Companies are spending millions to ensure HIPAA compliance for electronic data, yet may be overlooking paper records. Rentacrate's HIPAA Carts are the only product of its kind for protecting files from unauthorized personnel while in storage or transit.

(PRWEB) January 16, 2004 --Rentacrate Incorporated, the leading provider of crate rental services and moving equipment supplies for commercial moving in the U.S., today announced the availability of the Rentacrate HIPAA Cart, the only product of its kind for the protection of paper records as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Hospitals, insurance companies, law offices and dozens of other industries that handle patient data are being inundated by messages about the protection of electronic transactions. But what about paper records? HIPAA applies to electronic, oral AND paper data. Companies are spending millions to ensure HIPAA compliance for their electronic data yet may be overlooking their paper records, which are typically more likely to be lost, found, read and used by unauthorized parties.

Rentacrate's HIPAA Carts, equipped with secured covers, protect files from unauthorized personnel while in transit. The double-sided design provides maximum capacity and convenience for storing or transporting files while minimizing liability.

The Office of Civil Rights has received nearly 650 violation complaints in the first few months alone since HIPAA's official inception. And penalties for non-compliance are steep: each disclosure can carry a fine of $50,000 and up to one year imprisonment. "An organization's paper documents are particularly vulnerable during hectic times such as an office move, expansion or renovation," said Michael Shanley, President & Founder of Rentacrate. "How would your company fair if audited for compliance? Rentacrate provides no-hassle solutions that meet legislative mandates."

When American Service Insurance (ASI), a Kingsway America Company, was moving its 150-person office, it called on Rentacrate. Aware of the specifications of HIPAA, the company knew it needed to take appropriate measures when transporting files to its new facility. Rentacrate's HIPAA Carts allowed ASI to quickly move files from their office shelves directly to the cart shelves, and then snap down the cover to prevent unauthorized access.

"It was very important to us to protect the privacy of our records, and therefore our customers. With the HIPAA Cart, we were quickly and easily able to move our files to our new facility without risking exposure of protected information," said Kevin Schulte, Vice President of Human Resources for ASI. By using Rentacrate, we saved an incredible amount of time and money. The entire move took less than 24 hours!"

In addition to the HIPAA Cart, Rentacrate provides two complementary products and services that help companies comply with HIPAA: Crates (totes) with Security Ties for both paper files and X-Rays, and Lockable Shredding Bins/Shredding Service. Protected health information may include a variety of documents that are easily overlooked, such as prescription slips, photocopies and hand-written memos, so its critical for companies to secure all types of records, and/or shred retired records. In short, Rentacrate is a convenient, one-stop-shop for all of a company's HIPAA compliant transport and storage needs.

About Rentacrate Incorporated
Rentacrate is the original crate rental company offering the unique Complete Moving System, THE cost-effective alternative to cardboard boxes. The Complete Moving System is a set of specially designed reusable plastic crates, dollies, bins and carts for office relocations. The system lowers the overall cost of an office move by introducing many efficiencies not possible when using cardboard boxes. Rentacrate delivers and picks up directly to and from your office, and all products are available nationwide. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Rentacrate has eight locations across the U.S. For more information, visit www.rentacrate.com.