How do I make videos of AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) assessments on an iPhone HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant?

Making HIPAA-Compliant Videos of AIMS Assessments on iPhone

To make videos of Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) assessments on an iPhone HIPAA compliant, you must use a secure HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing or recording application, obtain proper patient consent, and ensure secure storage and transmission of the recordings.

Secure Recording Options

1. Use HIPAA-Compliant Applications:

   • Use only applications specifically designed to be HIPAA-compliant 1, 2
   • Examples of HIPAA-compliant platforms include:
     • Teladoc Health
     • VidyoConnect
     • Doximity (which can be used as a backup when technical issues arise) 1
     • Bluejeans (after proper vetting by your institution) 1

2. Encryption Requirements:

   • Ensure the application uses encryption protocols to protect patient data 1
   • Internet Protocol (IP) technology requires encryption to ensure confidentiality and HIPAA compliance 1

Before Recording

1. Patient Consent:

   • Obtain and document informed consent specifically for video recording
   • Explain how the video will be used, stored, and who will have access to it
   • Document this consent in the patient's medical record

2. Environment Setup:

   • Ensure recording takes place in a private setting with minimal background noise 1, 2
   • Position the camera to capture only the necessary clinical information
   • Avoid recording any identifying information in the background
   • Verify your connection to a secure network (hospital WiFi preferred) 1

During Recording

1. Patient Identification:

   • Use a study ID or medical record number instead of the patient's full name
   • Avoid stating personal identifiers on the recording

2. Recording Quality:

   • Position the iPhone camera approximately 4 cm from the subject area 1
   • Ensure adequate lighting to capture subtle movements
   • For AIMS assessments specifically, ensure the frame rate is sufficient (25-30 frames per second) to capture abnormal movements accurately 1

3. Technical Considerations:

   • Have a backup communication plan in case of technical failures 2
   • Verify secure WiFi connectivity before beginning 3

After Recording

1. Secure Storage:

   • Transfer recordings immediately to the Electronic Health Record (EHR) or secure server 3
   • Do not store protected health information permanently on the mobile device 3
   • Consider using a system that converts recordings to PDF format for secure storage in the EHR 3

2. Data Management:

   • Implement a process for secure deletion of videos from the device after transfer
   • Consider using expert determination approaches to deidentify visual data if needed for research purposes 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Never use standard consumer video apps that aren't HIPAA-compliant (like standard iPhone Camera app, FaceTime, or regular messaging apps)

2. Avoid public WiFi networks when recording or transmitting patient videos

3. Don't store videos on the iPhone's camera roll where they could be automatically backed up to iCloud or other non-HIPAA-compliant cloud storage

4. Be cautious with biometric identifiers - the HIPAA Safe Harbor method requires removal of biometric identifiers including full-face photographs and comparable images 1

5. Don't forget to document the recording in the patient's medical record, including where the recording is stored

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your AIMS assessment videos remain HIPAA-compliant while still capturing the clinical information needed for proper patient evaluation and documentation.