Running Head: HIPAA 1

4-2 Journal: HIPAA

Lauretta Krakue

HIM422

SNHU

May 29,2022
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 The integration of social media, telehealth and mobile technologies in the health care

setting has increased the importance of policies relating to how these technology-based elements

are integrated into health care services. Since these digital elements increase cybersecurity risks,

it is of paramount importance to comply with relevant policies and regulations that can help to

minimize or mitigate the risks that arise in the uncertain cyber domain. According to Kruse and

Williams, health policies can play an instrumental role in influencing how technology is used to

reach patients and increase the accessibility of care services (Kruse et al., 2021). Such policies

can also play a critical role in making sure that the use of innovative digital technologies does

not increase the risk relating to violation of sensitive patient health information. The policies can

serve as guidance and allow health care professionals and practitioners to responsibly use social

media platforms, mobile technologies, etc. so that value can be created for patients and their

medical data will be managed in a safe and secure manner by health care entities.

 In the digitalized era, when the issue relating to data breaches in the health care domain is

on the rise, the role of HIPAA privacy and security rules is of extreme importance. The HIPAA

Privacy rule fundamentally establishes standards for safeguarding patients’ medical records

along with other sensitive personal health information (PHI). It highlights the basic rights of

patients in relation to their confidential information that is available with health care entities

(Summary of the HIPAA security rule. HHS.gov, 2021). Organizations have the responsibility to

treat sensitive and confidential patient information with utmost care and caution so that the

privacy of patients will not get compromised. HIPAA Privacy rule is vital since it addresses how

patient information is handled and managed. These rules are of high value since they empower

patients to have better control over their PHI.

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 The Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) is a HIPAA-mandated notice that specific

organizations need to give to patients as well as research subjects that captures how the entities

may utilize or disclose their personal health information (PHI). This notice also informs the

patients about the legal rights that they have in relation to their PHI. Some of the key elements

that have been integrated into the notice include treatment, alternatives to treatments,

appointment reminders, treatment as well as health care operations, etc. (Notice of privacy

practices (NPP). Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2021). The fundamental purpose of NPP is to

make sure that covered health care entities can improve the patient experience as well as

comprehension by providing a clear, user-friendly explanation relating to their PHI-related rights

and privacy practices relating to health plan and health care service providers. The NPP plays an

instrumental role in influencing how patient information is used for the purpose of treatment,

payment as well as conducting health care operations. The proper comprehension, as well as

adherence to Notice of Privacy Practices, is vital for entities that operate in the delicate and

dynamic health care setting since it can impact the level of empowerment of patients who avail

health care services.

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References

Kruse, C. S., Williams, K., Bohls, J., & Shamsi, W. (2021). Telemedicine and health policy: a

systematic review. Health Policy and Technology, 10(1), 209-229.

Summary of the HIPAA security rule. HHS.gov. (2021, June 28). Retrieved May 28, 2022, from

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html

Notice of privacy practices (NPP). Electronic Frontier Foundation. (2021). Retrieved May 28,

2022, from https://www.eff.org/glossary/notice-privacy-practices-npp#:~:text=HIPAA

%2Dmandated%20notice%20that%20covered,their%20legal%20rights%20regarding

%20PHI.