The Hitech Act And Hipaa Violation Addressing Presentation ✓ Solved

THE HITECH ACT AND HIPAA VIOLATION ADDRESSING PRESENTATION

The HITECH Act was incorporated into ARRA to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology. Subtitle D of the HITECH Act, sections 13400–13424, addresses the privacy and security concerns associated with the electronic transmission of health information. It does so, in part, through several provisions that strengthen the civil and criminal enforcement of the HIPAA rules. Consider the following case from the course scenario on St. Michael's Medical Center.

Case I: The Blue Wall Many patients and regulators have accused the hospital of neglecting its organizational responsibilities to respect patient rights. The hospital has established a so-called blue wall to withhold information and protect its employees. The administration and the ethics committee overseeing these ethical issues were accused of cover-up and making decisions that endangered vulnerable people. In most cases, the hospital has failed to meet its responsibilities to patients and comply with regulations. Some of the violations include exposing patient information to unauthorized individuals, making unilateral decisions, ignoring informed consent mandates, covering up medication errors, and inadequate management of health records.

As the newly hired chief executive officer (CEO), you have been asked to address these issues. You will make a presentation to help managers, supervisors, and general staff members to curb the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) violations in the following areas: Communication, secure storage of information, and retention of health information.

Prepare a 15-slide PowerPoint addressing the following items: What are 5 effective health information communication methods? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these methods? What healthcare laws guide the sharing and delivery of health information among stakeholders? What type of health information could be shared and with whom? What are the benefits of sharing patient health information?

What current applications are available to share patient information? What HIPAA mandates are about the disclosure of patient information, especially the Privacy and Security Rules? What are the benefits of using social media applications for sharing health information? What limitations exist in sharing health information using social media applications? What is the purpose of seeking patient consent to release medical records? What penalty exists for unauthorized release of patient health information as per HIPAA regulations?

What communication skills are essential to patient satisfaction? How can lawsuits be avoided? How should healthcare organizations secure patient medical records? Who owns patient medical records? What protocols should be in place to store and share patient medical record information? What are the challenges of storing and communicating patient medical records? What are the benefits of adequate storage and communication of patient medical information? How would St. Michael's Medical Center staff benefit from this training?

Reference HHS.gov. (2017, June 16). HITECH Act enforcement interim final rule.

Please submit your assignment. Submitting your assignment in APA format means, at a minimum, that you will need the following: Title slide: Remember the running head. The title should be in all capitals. Length: 15 slides minimum. Body slides: This begins on the slide following the title slide and must be double-spaced. The typeface should be 12pt. Times Roman or 12pt. Courier in regular black type. Do not use color, bold type, or italics, except as required for APA level headings and references. The deliverable length of the body of your presentation for this assignment is 15 slides.

In-body academic citations to support your decisions and analysis are required. A variety of academic sources is encouraged. Reference slide: References that align with your in-body academic sources are listed on the final slide of your presentation. The references must be in APA format using appropriate spacing, hanging indent, italics, and uppercase and lowercase usage as appropriate for the type of resource used. Remember, the Reference slide is not a bibliography but a further listing of the abbreviated in-body citations used in the presentation. Every referenced item must have a corresponding in-body citation.

Paper For Above Instructions

The HITECH Act plays a crucial role in promoting the use of health information technology while ensuring the privacy and security of patient data. In a healthcare environment like St. Michael's Medical Center, addressing the violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is imperative for organizational integrity and patient trust. This presentation will cover communication methods, relevant healthcare laws, challenges, and the benefits of proper information sharing.

Effective Health Information Communication Methods

1. Face-to-Face Communication: This method allows for direct interaction, enabling clarification and immediate response to patient needs. While it fosters rapport and trust, it can be time-consuming and limits the number of patients attended to at once.

2. Electronic Health Records (EHR): EHRs streamline information sharing and enhance coordination among healthcare providers. However, the risk of data breaches and reliance on technology during emergencies are significant drawbacks.

3. Telehealth Services: These services have become vital, allowing patients remote access to care. While they improve access for many, potential issues include technology barriers for some patients and the challenge of establishing a personal connection.

4. Patient Portals: By providing patients access to their medical information, these portals empower patient engagement. Yet, they require digital literacy, which may exclude some populations, particularly the elderly.

5. Social Media: This platform can disseminate health information quickly and broaden outreach. However, privacy concerns and the potential for misinformation can create significant issues.

Healthcare Laws Guiding Information Sharing

The HIPAA Privacy Rule allows for the sharing of health information without patient consent under specific circumstances, such as treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. The Security Rule complements this by enforcing regulations on how healthcare organizations manage and secure electronic patient information. Additionally, the HITECH Act enhances penalties for HIPAA violations while promoting the secure exchange of health information.

Benefits and Challenges of Sharing Patient Health Information

The benefits of sharing patient health information include improved patient care through coordinated treatment, enhanced outcomes, and increased efficiency. However, challenges persist including ensuring compliance with privacy regulations, mitigating potential security breaches, and overcoming differing state laws regarding health information exchange.

Current Applications for Patient Information Sharing

Applications like EHR systems, telecommunication platforms, and secure messaging systems allow healthcare providers to share patient information efficiently. These technologies support compliance with HIPAA regulations while enhancing communication and collaboration among healthcare teams.

HIPAA Mandates on Patient Disclosure

HIPAA mandates strict adherence to the Privacy and Security Rules, enforcing confidentiality in patient information disclosure. The penalties for unauthorized release of patient health information can involve substantial fines and criminal charges, emphasizing the importance of compliance.

Social Media in Health Information Sharing

While social media can facilitate outreach and education, limitations exist including regulatory constraints, threats to patient confidentiality, and the challenge of maintaining professional boundaries. It requires careful oversight to prevent violations.

Patient Consent and Medical Records

Seeking patient consent for the release of medical records is essential to maintain trust and comply with HIPAA regulations. Consent ensures patients have control over their health information; without proper consent, unauthorized disclosures can lead to severe penalties, including fines and loss of license for healthcare professionals.

Communication Skills for Patient Satisfaction

Effective communication skills in healthcare enhance patient satisfaction and involve active listening, empathy, and clarity in providing information about treatment plans and health conditions. Fostering rapport with patients can mitigate the likelihood of lawsuits due to misunderstandings or perceived negligence.

Securing Patient Medical Records

Healthcare organizations must implement stringent protocols to secure patient medical records, including using encryption, access control, and regular security training for staff. Ownership of patient medical records typically resides with healthcare institutions, but patients have rights over the information contained within.

Protocols for Storage and Sharing

Protocols should include standard operating procedures for electronic and physical records management, routine audits to ensure compliance, and clear guidelines on information sharing to dictate who has access to what information under various circumstances.

Challenges and Benefits of Communication

Challenges in storing and communicating patient medical records include technological barriers, budget constraints, and the need for ongoing staff training. Conversely, adequate storage and communication lead to improved patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and adherence to legal requirements.

Benefits of Training for Staff

Training staff at St. Michael's Medical Center in these areas is beneficial as it ensures compliance with HIPAA regulations while fostering a culture of patient-centered care. An informed staff can better protect patient data, leading to enhanced trust and loyalty from the community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing the violations of HIPAA at St. Michael’s Medical Center requires a comprehensive understanding of effective communication, regulatory requirements, and the benefits of secure health information sharing. Through dedicated training and implementation of best practices, the hospital can restore trust and uphold patient rights.

References

• HHS.gov. (2017). HITECH Act enforcement interim final rule. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/hitech-act-enforcement-interim-final-rule/index.html
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2019). The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Administrative-Simplification/HIPAA-ACA/
• Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (2016). Health Information Privacy. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/topic/privacy-security
• American Health Information Management Association. (2020). Handling patient information: The implications of HIPAA regulations. Journal of AHIMA.
• McWay, D. C. (2018). Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management. Cengage Learning.
• Weber, R. (2019). Data Security and Privacy in Healthcare. Journal of Healthcare Management.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html
• HealthIT.gov. (2021). Health Information Exchange. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/topic/scientific-initiatives/health-information-exchange
• Epstein, H. (2020). The Role of Social Media in Health Communication. Health Communication Journal.