HIPAA Data Breaches When a patient discloses his or her personal information to the medical staff, it is with confidence that the information is secure. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets security standards for safeguarding important patient health information that is being stored and maintained in analog and digital forms. As new technologies continue to facilitate the healthcare industry’s transition to paperless processes, health care providers, insurance companies, and other institutions are also growing increasingly dependent on electronic information systems to manage their HIPAA compliance programs. As a result, the safety and security of sensitive health data has become a major concern across the board. Security Risks and Challenges Today, health care professionals are using technology extensively in almost every aspect of the practice.
HIPPA Breaches A Common Legal Issue in Healthcare When it pertains to patient health information discretion is paramount. Protecting patients from threats that could endanger their rights is essential and the primary reason for safeguarding their personal information is to secure the interest of the individuals who are entrusting the organization with their information. There are however breaches to individuals’ private health information. In the healthcare field one common legal issue is HIPPA and data breaches.
Healthcare providers and organizations are obligated and bound to protect patient confidentiality by laws and regulations. Patient information may only be disclosed to those directly involved in the patient’s care or those the patient identifies as able to receive the information. The HIPAA Act of 1996 is the federal law mandating healthcare organizations and clinicians to safeguard patient’s medical information. This law corresponds with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act to include security standards for protecting electronic health information. The healthcare organization is legally responsible for establishing procedures to prevent data
LP 7 Assignment: Patient Confidentiality I would be sure to tell Ms. Morry that I understand her concern about having her problems made public, but would also assure her that all calls and information are kept extremely confidential. I would explain that it is important to have information about these problems, and any subsequent treatment, recorded in her chart and why. It is crucial to the continuity of care, and coordination among providers. If a physician at my clinic prescribed a sleeping medication, and then she went to another clinic, it is important that she not be prescribed something that reacts with the previous medication. It is also vital to have information about her drug and alcohol problems document, as treatment can
Throughout the past decades, many acts have been passed in support of health information technology and the adaptation of such technology. Two of those acts, the HIPAA (health insurance portability and accountability) Act and the HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act, focus on protecting patient health information and utilizing health information technology. Although these acts bring about many positive changes within the healthcare industry, there are some downsides regarding the implementation of these acts, as there are with many acts that are passed. Both of these acts provide security to patient health information, however, the HITECH Act contributes more to the utilization of the electronic health
HIPAA is legislation that is mostly used in United States for the protection and privacy of the patient’s information. The medical information is protected by HIPAA whereby it ensures safe access to health and other personal information. HIPAA is therefore divided into five rules and regulations. There is private rule which ensures that all the information about individual’s health is highly protected. Private rule allows a good flow of health care information to ensure that an individual gets the best quality health care.
With the use of EHR comes the opportunity for patients to receive improved coordinated care from medical professions and easier access to their health data. The author identifies views about the problems of EHR and the legislation. Health care professionals understand and accept the obligations under the Privacy and Security, patient’s information can still be at breached if those involved in patient health do not make sure that their information is secured. There is an increased risk of privacy violations with EHR if used improperly. Even though there are legislations in place to protect patient’s information, data still can be easily accessed either intentionally or accidental by using improper security measures.
Confidentiality and data breaches are a few of the main concerns, as many providers become neglectful when sharing patient electronic health information. Current use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) has proven to be helpful for hospitals and independent medical practice to provide efficient care for patients. Balestra reports that using computers to maintain patient health records and care reduces errors, and advances in health information technology are saving lives and reducing cost (Balestra, 2017). As technology advances EHR are going to continue to be the main method of record keeping among medical providers. Therefore, staff and medical providers need to be trained on how to properly share patients EHR safely and in a secure form in order to maintain patient confidentiality.
Therefore, security and protection is dictated by where the healthcare data is initiated within the healthcare delivery system. Futuristically, the concept of security and privacy is determined by where patient’s data begins which creates a huge question of how to protect data exchange since today’s healthcare is so patient centric. Presently, the healthcare community is promoting increased patient involvement in their care via technology such as patient portals. Furthermore, implementing HIPAA and HITECH can seem restrictive and cumbersome to the patient thereby creating opposing forces between two very important goals of the future healthcare system: increased patient involvement as well as increased healthcare information
Most healthcare organizations are trying to develop integrated computer-based information-management surroundings. The EHR as an integrated system is expected to be accessible, confidential, secure and acceptable to patients and clinicians. It should be integrated with other type of useful information to help in planning and problem solving. The EHR is also expected to monitor patient safety. EHR system can bring about positive effects when the technologies are designed, implemented and used appropriately.
Although HIPAA standards are required to provide security and protection of medical files, HIPAA privacy rule and security rule are being violated. Violating the requirements of HIPAA can results serious of consequences such facing civil and criminal
Some benefits to electronic medical health records for healthcare providers is the capability of more complete reporting that incorporates both clinical and administrative data. Pros also include operational efficiency, the capabilities to process and store data quickly, patient’s history, diagnostic test results and even medical imaging. The confidentiality is a concern when it comes to electronic health records. Identity theft can arise when unauthorized people get access to private and sensitive records. There is less communication amongst healthcare providers and the patient.
USEFULNESS: So many studies have been made and it was shown that theories are very useful and important in our current practice. Theories are used to determine the content and structure of a programmed curriculum; it provides foundation for nursing practice. More knowledge is gained or generated because it gives direction for the future of nursing practice. Lastly, theories describe, predict and explain facts in nursing.
Confidentiality protects the community members. Students should not be afraid to talk just because they fear their parents will find out about what they do when they are away from home. Confidentiality also establishes trust. No-one but the worker who will be working with the community members should obtain their information. Students should be given a safe environment in which they can talk about their daily experiences openly so that the intervention can adapt to the needs of the students.
