Final answer:
Breach notification is the obligatory process that therapists must follow after the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) due to unauthorized access. Therapists are required to notify affected individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services, and possibly media outlets within 60 days of discovering the breach and take steps to mitigate and prevent future breaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Breach notification refers to the legally required process that a therapist must follow after the unauthorized access or disclosure of protected health information (PHI). When a breach occurs, therapists must take specific steps to comply with state and federal laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.
A therapist must assess the situation to determine if a breach has occurred and is reportable. If it is determined that a breach of unsecured PHI has taken place, the therapist must provide notification to affected individuals without unreasonable delay and no later than 60 days following the discovery of the breach. Notifications should include the types of information involved in the breach, the steps individuals should take to protect themselves from potential harm, a brief description of what the therapist is doing to investigate the breach, mitigate harm, and prevent further breaches.
In addition to individual notifications, therapists must also notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). If the breach affects more than 500 individuals, media outlets in the affected area must also be informed.
Key Responsibilities:
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- Conduct a risk assessment of the breach
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- Notify affected individuals, HHS, and possibly the media
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- Mitigate the effects of the breach