Health Information Compliance Alert

Use this list to catch all the new devices in your facility.

A slew of portable devices are sure to enter your organization in the coming months as your employees' holiday wishes are granted. Be sure your policies and procedures cover this expanded list of devices and gadgets --" before it's too late, recommends Frank Ruelas, compliance officer for Gila River Health System in Sacaton, AZ.

--Data enabled cellular telephoness

--USB drives (stick, jump, travel, swing, thumb, flash, pen)

--Digital and/or document camerass.

--Digital video camerass.

--Novelty USB drives (ink, pens, watches)

--Digital camcorderss.

--Floppy diskettess.

--Blackberry devices.

--Personal electronic devices (PEDs)

--Compact discs (CD/R, CD/RW)

--Personal digital assistants (PDAs)

--DVDs (DVD/R, DVD/RW)

--Wireless handheld devicess.

--Jazz, zip or optical drivess.

--Portable media players (MP3, MP4)

--Portable hard drivess.

--Memory cardss.

--Storage elements (SAN Disk)

Smart: Teach your employees when and how it is appropriate to use their tech toys in your organization, Ruelas advises.