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In This Issue:
With less than two years to meet new federal patient privacy mandates, a six-member task force at BWH has been charged with implementing regulations that comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In an effort to keep all staff and employees up to date on the implementation process and how these changes may effect the workplace, the BWH Bulletin will cover a series of stories about key HIPAA topics.
Protecting the privacy and security of health information is at the core of the HIPAA program. Medical Privacy is comprised of two essential components: standards for health care providers accessing health information and the rights of the patient in this process. Specifically, under HIPAA, health care providers may not use or disclose protected health information except with the consent or authorization of the patient or in other defined situations. Secondly, the patients’ rights regarding their health information has now been clearly defined and greatly expanded. According to HIPAA regulations, protected health information includes “individually identifiable health information in all forms, electronic, written, oral and any other.”
To address these regulations many actions have been taken since the HIPAA implementation process began in April. BWH has adopted a set of specific definitions regarding key terminology and the BWH Consent for Use and Disclosure of Medical Information policy is being implemented in ambulatory practices, health centers, the ED and admitting and registration at all Partners-affiliated hospitals, practices and health centers. Jackie Raymond, newly appointed privacy officer, has taken the role of overseeing all questions and matters regarding consent and authorization.
The regulations require health care providers to furnish a written notice to patients covering the provider’s privacy practices. This notice also must incorporate a statement of the patient’s rights, which include the following:
To help patients better understand their rights BWH is expanding its current patient confidentiality brochure, as well as enhancing its medical information audit capabilities. All staff and employees are reminded that patient privacy is everyone’s business and are referred to the Confidentiality Agreement, which is signed annually.
Here are a few quick reminders of how everyone can assist in the process:
Anyone with questions about HIPAA regulations is encouraged to contact Karen Nelson, director of Corporate and Regulatory Compliance or Sue Schade, chief information officer. More information on HIPAA can also be found at the official Health and Human Services web site at http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/