University of Phoenix Material

Privacy and Security Worksheet

Consider this week’s readings and class discussion about privacy and security rules and the storage of records.

Write 50- to 100-word answers for each of the following questions based on your readings and class discussion.

1. What is the difference between privacy and security?

There is often confusion about the difference between privacy, confidentiality and security. In the context of HIPAA, privacy determines who should have access, what constitutes the patient’s rights to confidentiality, and what constitutes inappropriate access to health records. Confidentiality establishes how the records (or the systems that hold those records) should be protected from inappropriate access. Security is the means by which you ensure privacy and confidentiality.

2. Identify standards established through the Privacy Rule to protect individuals’ health information.

The Privacy Rule for the first time creates national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information. • It gives patients more control over their health information. • It sets boundaries on the use and release of health records. • It establishes appropriate safeguards that health care providers and others must achieve to protect the privacy of health information. • It holds violators accountable, with civil and criminal penalties that can be imposed if they violate patients' privacy rights. • And it strikes a balance when public responsibility requires disclosure of some forms of data - for example, to protect public health.

For patients - it means being able to make informed choices when seeking care and reimbursement for care based on how personal health information may be used. • It enables patients to find out how their information may be used and