Today I Learned: HIPAA

Today I learned: HIPPA

23 September, 2015

          Today I learned a lot about the HIPAA legislation, mainly what it stands for, what it’s purpose is, and ways you can protect confidentiality. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act and was created in 1996. HIPAA makes it easy to change your health insurance in any way that you need. HIPAA also ensures that your health and medical information is safe and private, thanks to all healthcare organizations taking time to ensure confidentiality. I also learned the only people that can see your protected medical information are people that “need to know” the information. People can protect privacy by not talking about patients in public places, make sure computer screens are private and are logged off when not in use. Also make sure to never share access codes, and not leave information on answering machines or emails. Never use a cellular phone to share info, because they can be scanned (Only use a standard phone). Make sure to never leave unattended documents out, as well.  I also learned that when you’re out in public, don’t greet patients or talk to them about their information.
  
          These things are very important in the health field because every single patient that comes into a hospital deals with HIPAA. Doctors, nurses, billing/recording workers, patients, everyone (except the media). They all apply to HIPAA, and must follow the laws associated with it. There have been a great number of instances that medical records have been wrongfully revealed, without patient’s consent. I learned about HIPAA in ninth grade, and watched an old 90’s video about HIPAA violations. It talked a lot about the importance of HIPAA in the health field, and talked a lot about what the health field would be like without HIPAA. Imagine if anyone could know your private medical records… People would be able to know anything about you, including information such as your birthday, SSN, and address. Thankfully, our medical information is protected by HIPAA laws.