To protect paper-based PHI, an organization should implement what types of safeguards?

Implementing physical safeguards, such as locked storage and restricted access, is essential for protecting paper-based protected health information (PHI). These measures are designed to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive information, thereby ensuring confidentiality and compliance with regulations such as HIPAA. Locked storage units provide a secure environment for storing PHI, limiting access to only those who need it for their jobs. Restricted access means that only authorized personnel can enter areas where PHI is kept, further enhancing security.

Other measures, such as electronic verification of information or digital access limits, tend to apply primarily to electronic PHI rather than physical documents. While these strategies are important for electronic data security, they do not address the specific needs of paper-based records. Informal access for trusted personnel does not provide adequate security and could lead to breaches of confidentiality, as it lacks formal safeguards and oversight. Thus, physical safeguards are the most effective means of protecting paper-based PHI.