Question

During a review of a sentinel event, unauthorized access to a patient's electronic medical record (EMR) was found to have occurred. This is a breach of confidentiality in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

What should the organization monitor to prevent similar problems in the future?
A.) Reports of password sharing among staff
B.) Documentation of staff training with the EMR
C.) Examination of staff understanding of HIPAA law
D.) Auditing of the frequency of access to health records

Answer 1

To prevent future HIPAA breaches, an organization should monitor reports of password sharing, document staff training on EMRs, and audit health record access frequency.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing a breach of confidentiality under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), an organization should monitor several aspects to prevent similar problems in the future. Firstly, it should ensure that there are strict policies and monitoring regarding reports of password sharing among staff, as this could lead to unauthorized access to electronic medical records (EMRs). Additionally, documenting staff training with the use of EMRs is critical to ensure that everyone understands the importance of data security and the legal ramifications of violating HIPAA regulations. Finally, consistently auditing the frequency of access to health records can help identify any unusual patterns or unauthorized access attempts, which could signify a security risk.