HIPAA and Electronic Health Information: Privacy, Security Rules

This essay provides an overview of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its implications for electronic health information (EHI). It defines protected health information (PHI) and the circumstances under which it can be disclosed, emphasizing patient approval and adherence to HHS regulations. The essay also differentiates between the Privacy Rule, which focuses on an individual's right to control their private data and ensure confidentiality of PHI, and the Security Rule, which addresses the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for electronic PHI. Furthermore, it clarifies the distinction between identifiable and unidentifiable information, detailing their respective uses in clinical settings and research. The essay concludes by referencing scholarly articles that further elaborate on these aspects of HIPAA and electronic health information management. Desklib offers a platform to explore more solved assignments and study resources.

Running head: HIPAA AND ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION
HIPAA and Electronic Health Information
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Definition of Protected Health Information and when it can be disclosed
Protected health information (PHI) is any health data in a clinical or medical setting
which is applied in identification of an individual and what was created, applied or either
disclosed in the process of offering health care services (Carlson & Mandel, 2017). It involves
medical records and conversation between doctors and nurses concerning the treatment process.
The billing information or any other relevant information in a health insurance company is also
considered as PHI. Specifially Protected Health Information is a term commonly applied in
HIPAA as the definition of the type of patient’s data which can be categorized under the
jurisdiction of law. Health institutions are liable to follow the rules and abide by them. Protected
health information falls into two categories namely personally identifiable to the patient and data
applied or disclosed to cover identity during care. PHI can be revealed by providing the
characters the chance to approve to the applications of and disclosure of their personal
information through ratification an approval procedure for customs and revelations not else
allowed by the law (Liu, Musen & Chou, 2015). This happens when one is research subject that
requires the body conducting the research to observe HHS fortification, anthropological
responses and other national and central rules. The IRB and other privacy boards may as well
disclose the information to other parties.
Difference between Privacy Rule and Security Rule as Applied in Laboratory
There exists a significant difference between privacy rule and security rule in their
application in the laboratory as defined by HIPAA. Privacy rule focusses on the mandate of a
character to regulate the form of his or her private data. It pertains the protected health
information (PHI) which ought not to be applied by third parties in contradiction of their

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requirements (Carlson & Mandel, 2017). Privacy rules addresses matters concerning the
confidentiality of PHI. Confidentiality involves the assurance that one’s data will be protected
from unlawful revelation. On the other hand, the security rule emphasizes on the managerial,
practical and corporeal protections particularly in their relation to electronic PHI. Fortification
of electronic personal health information from illegal parties in a laboratory setting is in form of
exterior or interior from is stockpiled (Drolet, Marwaha, Hyatt, Blazar & Lifchez, 2017).
Difference between Identifiable and unidentifiable information and their uses
Identifiable data is when the identity of a specific individual can reasonably be
ascertained in clinical setting such as name, date of birth, address and postcode while
unidentifiable information includes the data that has never been labeled with individual
identifiers and that has had identifiers permanently removed in such a way to ensure no specific
individual can be identified (Rothstein, 2015). Identifiable information is used to distinguish one
character from another and in de-anonymizing anonymous data. Classified information can be
either sensitive or non-sensitive. Confidential information should not be disclosed unnecessarily
as it results in the harm of the individuals. Non-identifiable data is commonly used in clinical
research especially where the respondents do not want their identity to be identified (Drolet et
al., 2017).

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References
Carlson, S. F., & Mandel, J. R. (2017). Commentary on “Electronic Communication of Protected
Health Information: Privacy, Security, and HIPAA Compliance”. Journal of Hand
Surgery, 42(6), 417-419.
Drolet, B. C., Marwaha, J. S., Hyatt, B., Blazar, P. E., & Lifchez, S. D. (2017). Electronic
communication of protected health information: privacy, security, and HIPAA
compliance. The Journal of hand surgery, 42(6), 411-416.
Liu, V., Musen, M. A., & Chou, T. (2015). Data breaches of protected health information in the
United States. Jama, 313(14), 1471-1473.
Rothstein, M. A. (2015). Ethical issues in big data health research: currents in contemporary
bioethics. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 43(2), 425-429.