HIPPA And Health Care Information

Abstract

This is a proposal on the laboratory department, the way they keep patient information sahe by complying with the HIPPA security rules, and the way they disclose information. I will also discuss a little about the difference between privacy rule and security rule as it applies to the laboratory proposal, also the difference between identifiable and unidentified information and their uses.

Each hospital have a laboratory that they used for service in treating their patients also there are free standing laboratory that patient can used without going to the hospital. In the hospital the doctors give the orders for treatment, but at the clinics or doctor office the patient was given a lab slip which they take to the free standing laboratory for whatever the test the doctor order. The test results will then fax to the doctor's office or brought to the office by the courier which is the old way to protect patient information. At the hospital test results is transfer in the computer to which ever department orders the test results, the only person to pull the test results is the doctor or the nurse in charge. The lab is not suppose to give any test results to anyone but inform the patient to call their doctor office for the test results, at the hospital test results is given to the patient or a family member of the patient.

The (HIPPA) Health Information Portability Act of 1966 has specific rules related to the disclosure of health information. There are three purposes that the health information can be used: one is for treatment, two is for payment and three is for healthcare operations. Information protected by the privacy rule to disclose information to covered entity such as health care providers, health plan, health care clearinghouse (Learnsomething, Inc. 2004).

Electronic Health Records (HER) is very important to the health care organization, it allow us to share information with other institutions and offer providers a means of quick information of patients for treatment and continuation of care without calling the hospital or other specialists for test results. In the laboratory information is received about patient information, if the information is linked to the patient then the information cannot be disclosed by the laboratory. PHI means individually identifiable health information, whether oral or recorded in any form/medium created or received by a health care provider, health plan, life insurer or clearinghouse (HIPPA Compliance Handbook). The privacy rule have ways which cover entities to disclose PHI information for research if authorized to do so by the patient, they are also circumstances in which health information covered by entity is not protected by the privacy rule, PHI excludes health information that is de-identified according to specific standards example rape victim, or HIV patient.

The right of an individual to keep his/her health information from being disclosed which is achieved through policy and procedure, patient information may be accessed, used and/or disclosed to a third party (What is the difference Between the Privacy and Security Rule). Privacy rule sets limits on its use and disclosures and also safeguard to protect the patient medical records and other personal information, it also allow patients the right to access their records and make corrections. Security Rule is to protect the privacy of health information; security is accomplished through operational and technical controls within a covered entity. HIPPA security rule was created to protect electronic health records, the security rule set appropriate safeguard so that confidentially, integrity and security of electronic