Final answer:
The statement that Fred's access to the electronic health record system should be terminated after his resignation is true, in compliance with HIPAA regulations that protect patient information.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that according to the HIPAA security rule, Fred's access to the electronic health record system should be terminated upon his resignation from University Hospital.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates strict confidentiality and protection of patient information. As such, it is central to the integrity of electronic health records (EHR) systems that access is limited to current authorized personnel only.
Upon an employee's departure, especially in healthcare institutions, these access privileges must be promptly revoked to prevent any unauthorized access or potential breaches of sensitive patient information. This is crucial for maintaining both legal compliance with HIPAA standards and the trust that patients place in healthcare providers to protect their personal health information (PHI).