April 11, 2005
Dana-Farber recognizes National Health Information Privacy and Security Week, April 10-16
Personal health information is a valuable resource, not only to you, but to the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who provide your treatment and care. The staff members within Health Information Services (HIS) are constantly working with your healthcare provider(s) to make sure your information is kept private, secure and in accordance with federal and state laws.
Most recently the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has added its new security regulations to its list of rules addressing the protection and confidentiality of protected health information. The HIPAA Security regulations address the means by which a health care site protects its electronic protected health information. Each health care site, according to the federal law must address technical, physical and administrative safeguards needed to reduce the risk of threats to its electronic data. All health care sites must comply by the security regulations by April 20, 2005.
In an effort to educate both the staff and Dana-Farber's patients on HIPAA and the new regulations, Dana-Farber will be celebrating National Health Information Privacy and Security Week (April 10—16). As a part of our education initiative, our HIS professionals offer five steps you can take to ensure the security, protection and confidentiality of the personal health information maintained on site:
- Read your healthcare provider's and health plan's Notice of Privacy Practices. This notice informs you about your rights and how they may use your personal health information. Remember that you can request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your health information for treatment, payment or notification purposes.
- Talk to your healthcare provider and health plan if you have any concerns about the confidentiality of your health information.
- Read the fine print before you authorize release of information. The authorization should specify who is to receive your health information and the purpose of its use.
- Know what health information is being collected about you and by whom. Find out what safeguards are used to keep it confidential.
- Be cautious before giving your information on Web sites, phone surveys, or in health screening questionnaires. Know how the information may be used or disclosed.
Sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), National Health Information Privacy and Security Week is designed to raise awareness among the public about the importance of personal health information privacy and security. For more information about your personal health information privacy rights, visit www.myphr.org.
AHIMA is the premier association of HIM professionals. AHIMA's 50,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, certification, and lifelong learning. For information about the Association, go to www.ahima.org
