The Department of Health and Human Services has promulgated regulations entitled Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information. These standards are commonly referred to as the “privacy rule”. These standards are a part of the HIPAA law and became effective in April 2003. As a healthcare provider, Crittenton Wound Healing Center must comply with these standards for privacy.
The Privacy Rule 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 healthcare 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 thy violate patients’ privacy rights
- It strikes a balance when public responsibility requires disclosure of some forms of data – for example, for protect public health
Questions and comments about HIPAA can be directed to the Steering Committee by contacting the HIPAA Information line at: (248) 652-5854.