Protection of Human Subjects, Coursework Example

Introduction

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) considers the importance of protecting personal health information to ensure that patient confidentiality is protected at all times (Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). The release of this information is protected under a variety of circumstances; furthermore, healthcare organizations must comply with the required standards and protections to ensure that patient confidentiality is not breached under any circumstances (DHHS, 2014). It is necessary to identify the different terms and conditions of HIPAA and the protections that it provides to patients to ensure that their personal health data is not compromised or is accessed by unauthorized individuals (DHHS, 2014). The following discussion will address HIPAA regulations in greater detail and will consider the relevance of organizational compliance with these regulations and their relevance to healthcare practice settings.

Analysis

HIPAA regulations govern a number of healthcare organizations, including those designated as covered entities (DHHS, 2014). This term identifies those organizations and individuals who are employed who must comply with HIPAA rules and governance in order to protect data from unnecessary breaches of confidentiality (DHHS, 2014). Covered entities are required to protect any and all patient information that is collected, and furthermore, when they engage in a contract or other relationship with a business associate, that organization must also comply with all required HIPAA regulations (DHHS, 2014). These relationships are often complex and require the sharing of confidential health information when a specific service is provided; therefore, HIPAA regulations must be considered during all transactions so that patients are protected and information is not shared with any unauthorized persons or under suspicious circumstances (DHHS, 2014).

HIPAA encompasses a number of guidelines that govern patient data and information at all times (American Medical Association, 2013). With the continued growth and expansion of health information technologies, it is necessary for organizations to maintain updated policies and procedures to ensure that all patients are aware of these practices at the time that they receive treatment (AMA, 2013). Healthcare organizations and individual physicians must comply with all required regulations and maintain updated policies, procedures, and agreements with business associates as necessary to support patient confidentiality at all times (AMA, 2013). This set of regulations is of critical importance to healthcare providers because it requires their full participation and compliance in order to ensure that patient information, particularly as stored in electronic health records, is protected in accordance with the established requirements (AMA, 2013). These conditions support the continued expansion of practice methods in order to protect patient confidentiality at all times (AMA, 2013).

From a governmental perspective, HIPAA was designed to streamline processes and to provide greater oversight over important personal health information that must remain confidential (Sage, 2014). HIPAA serves as a means of promoting privacy so that personal health information is secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorized persons (Sage, 2014). This set of regulations provides a level of security and comfort for patients who seek healthcare services and do not want their personal information shared in a public manner (Sage, 2014). All patients have the right to ask how their healthcare providers are working to protect their personal information in a confidential manner and to keep it private (Sage, 2014). When patients believe that there has been a significant problem related to their personal health information and it has been compromised, they should address these concerns as soon as possible so that all possible steps might be taken to protect their data and prevent further breaches (Sage, 2014).

The implementation and management of electronic health records requires HIPAA governance at all levels (CDC, 2003). Access to these records must be secure and should only be provided to authorized persons (CDC, 2003). These factors play a role in determining how to best manage personal health information in a manner that will advance healthcare practice with a greater level of confidence and trust (CDC, 2003). Patients are often concerned in regards to their health information; therefore, it is important to develop steps and strategies to enable healthcare providers to demonstrate many levels of security to ease patient fears in regards to their health information (CDC, 2003). These factors will be effective in promoting new approaches to facilitate positive outcomes for healthcare practice settings and providers under a variety of conditions (CDC, 2003).

Conclusion

HIPAA regulations were established in 1996 by the federal government as a means of maximizing the protection of personal health information that is collected by healthcare organizations. This set of regulations must be supported by covered entities who are subject to these rules, thereby creating secure and private environments to ensure that patient information is not compromised. Patient interactions with healthcare providers when personal health information is collected must be covered by HIPAA, and these regulations should be provided to patients during these visits. Most importantly, it is necessary for patient confidentiality to be promoted at all times through the HIPAA framework. These regulations are essential to the continued protection of personal health information and the development of new strategies to encourage patient confidentiality and to minimize breaches of information as best as possible.

Informed consent may be derived in different forms and requires an understanding of the different types of subject populations that are commonly used. For example, if a subject is under the age of 18, his or her parent or guardian would need to consent to participation in the study, whereas an adult of sound mind could consent on his or her own. In addition, protecting human subjects is of the utmost importance, and in particular, vulnerable populations are at risk if they are not managed properly. Research protocols must maximize all possible safety alternatives for participants so that their health and wellbeing are not compromised during and after the study.

References

American Medical Association (2013). HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Retrieved from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/hipaahealth-insurance-portability-accountability-act.page

Centers for Disease Control (2003). HIPAA privacy rule and public health: guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/m2e411a1.htm

Department of Health and Human Services (2014). For covered entities and business associates. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/

Sage, B. (2014). HIPAA law and regulations. Retrieved from http://personalinsure.about.com/od/health/a/aa041806a.htm