Hipaa Disclaimer | SLP Atlas

This HIPAA Disclaimer explains the relationship between SLP Atlas and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other applicable privacy laws.

1. SLP Atlas Is Not a HIPAA-Covered Entity

SLP Atlas is an educational and organizational platform. Unless explicitly designated as a HIPAA-compliant version, SLP Atlas is not a HIPAA-covered entity or business associate. We do not provide medical services, and we do not act as a healthcare provider.

2. User Responsibility for PHI

Users of SLP Atlas are solely responsible for ensuring that their use of the platform complies with HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA, and all applicable local, state, and federal privacy laws.

Do not store Protected Health Information (PHI) of identifiable patients in SLP Atlas unless using a version specifically designed to support HIPAA compliance.
De-identify patient information before entering it into any notes, reports, or community posts.
Use initials or pseudonyms rather than full patient names where possible.
Follow your organization's policies regarding electronic documentation and data storage.

3. What Is PHI?

Protected Health Information includes any information that can identify an individual and relates to their physical or mental health, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare. Examples include:

Patient names, dates of birth, addresses, or contact information
Diagnoses, assessment results, or treatment notes
Photographs or videos of patients
Any combination of data that could re-identify an individual

4. Recommended Practices

To protect patient privacy when using SLP Atlas, we recommend:

Using de-identified or coded references for all client and student data.
Storing sensitive clinical records in your organization's approved, compliant systems rather than in SLP Atlas.
Reviewing your facility's policies on cloud-based tools before entering any client information.
Using SLP Atlas primarily for resource discovery, professional development, and organizational planning.
Securing your device with passcodes, encryption, and up-to-date software.

5. FERPA and IDEA Considerations

If you work in a school setting, student education records may be protected under FERPA and IDEA. You are responsible for ensuring that any student information entered into SLP Atlas complies with these laws and your school district's policies.

6. No Warranty of Compliance

SLP Atlas provides tools and resources to support clinical workflows, but we make no representation or warranty that the platform, in its standard form, satisfies HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA, or any other regulatory requirement. Users must independently determine whether the platform is appropriate for their specific use case.

7. Data Security Measures

While SLP Atlas employs industry-standard security measures (encryption, secure authentication, access controls), no system is 100% secure. Users should not rely solely on SLP Atlas for storing sensitive health information.

8. Breach Notification

If you believe PHI or other sensitive information has been compromised through your use of SLP Atlas, you are responsible for following your organization's breach notification procedures and any applicable legal requirements.

9. Professional Judgment

SLP Atlas does not replace professional clinical judgment. Resources, assessments, and tools provided through the platform should be evaluated and applied by qualified professionals according to their clinical expertise and applicable standards of practice.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this HIPAA Disclaimer, please contact us: