Question

Describe legal requirements for protection and privacy of patient and medical information.j

Answer 1

#. HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

A federal law that regulates the privacy and security of health information.

The law focuses on maintaining confidentiality, respecting a patient's rights to privacy, and protecting patient information.

HIPAA does not require the patient's consent to allow healthcare providers and plans to use health information for ordinary treatment purposes.

#. The Purposes of HIPAA

-Privacy of Health Information

-Security of Electronic Records

-Administrative Simplification

-Insurance Portability

#. Three categories of covered entities under HIPAA :-

1. Healthcare providers (doctor's office or hospital) that conduct certain transactions in electronic form.

2. Health plans (health insurers)

3. Healthcare clearinghouses (third party handlers).

According to the Privacy Rule in HIPAA, patients must provide written authorization before health information is released to anyone else.

Computer server rooms should be locked.

Passwords should be updated frequently, Computers should have anti-virus software, Electronically transmitted information should be encrypted.

#. Security Rule Safeguards

-According to the Security Rule, health care facilities must provide three types of safeguards when using electronic records.

1. Physical Safeguards

-include rules for providing a safe and hazard-free environment in which to store medical records.

For example:

-Doors should be locked.

-Computer server rooms should be locked and accessed by authorized personnel only.

-Any paper records should be stored in locked, fireproof cabinets.

2.Technical Safeguards

include rules for protecting electronic information.

For example:

-All medical records should be password-protected, and passwords should be updated regularly.

-Information that is transmitted electronically should be encrypted.

-All computer systems must have effective anti-virus software.

3. Administrative Safeguards

include rules for managing employees who have access to protected health records. For example:

-Policies must be in place regarding which employees are allowed to access information.

-All employees should complete security awareness training.