Health Care Privacy and Security
This course is an overview of Health Information Law and Policy as it pertains to data security and privacy of electronic health records here in the United States. Students will examine how individual health information is collected, maintained, and transferred in this electronic information age, and the ramifications when such information is improperly protected, stolen, and misused.
Outcomes: Identify the key federal laws and regulations related to the privacy and security of electronic health records (EHRs), such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and the HITECH Act; Understand the role of state laws and regulations in complementing federal health information privacy and security requirements; Analyze the processes by which health care organizations collect, store, and transfer electronic health records (EHRs) across different systems and platforms; Discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by health information technology, including electronic health records, health information exchanges, and patient portals; Assess the legal consequences and regulatory responses to breaches of electronic health information, including data theft, unauthorized access, and misuse; Explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the protection of patient privacy in the context of health information technology; Understand the compliance mechanisms, such as audits, risk assessments, and security protocols, that organizations use to ensure adherence to health information privacy and security regulations; Analyze case studies of organizations that have successfully implemented privacy and security measures and those that have faced significant challenges or penalties; Engage with current issues such as the growing concern over cyberattacks, data sharing across organizations, and health data interoperability; Explore potential future developments in health information law and policy, considering technological advancements, evolving legal frameworks, and new public health concerns.
Outcomes: Identify the key federal laws and regulations related to the privacy and security of electronic health records (EHRs), such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and the HITECH Act; Understand the role of state laws and regulations in complementing federal health information privacy and security requirements; Analyze the processes by which health care organizations collect, store, and transfer electronic health records (EHRs) across different systems and platforms; Discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by health information technology, including electronic health records, health information exchanges, and patient portals; Assess the legal consequences and regulatory responses to breaches of electronic health information, including data theft, unauthorized access, and misuse; Explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the protection of patient privacy in the context of health information technology; Understand the compliance mechanisms, such as audits, risk assessments, and security protocols, that organizations use to ensure adherence to health information privacy and security regulations; Analyze case studies of organizations that have successfully implemented privacy and security measures and those that have faced significant challenges or penalties; Engage with current issues such as the growing concern over cyberattacks, data sharing across organizations, and health data interoperability; Explore potential future developments in health information law and policy, considering technological advancements, evolving legal frameworks, and new public health concerns.