HIPAA Security Training and Confidentiality Statements for Beginners

HIPAA provides protection of health care information and secures the identity of services users.

HIPPA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a law that requires health care professionals to maintain strict confidentiality standards for protecting information regarding their service users.

Protected Information

Information protected by HIPAA includes any information that can be used to identify an individual who is receiving services from health care providers. Only individuals immediately pertinent to the treatment of the individual within a specified treatment team is allowed to discuss information relating to the patient.

Confidentiality Statements

Health care service users are required to sign confidentiality statements in which they can list which individuals, family members, friends or other health care providers, such as hospitals, rehabilitation clinics or other professionals. Any person or agency listed on the confidentiality statement can request information regarding the service user during their treatment.

Common Breaches of Confidentiality

Breaches of confidentiality include computer screens containing medical and personal information which can be seen by persons other than the user of the computer, informal "hallway talk" during work or talking about service users with members of one's own family or social groups.

References

• Health and Human Services: Health Information Privacy
• HC Marketplace: HIPAA Training Handbook

Resources

• HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996