HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Enacted in 1996.
Purpose: Protect personal health information (PHI) while enabling the flow of health information for quality healthcare.
Protected Health Information (PHI)
Encompasses all data collected, created, or stored by pharmacy staff.
Includes any details identifying patients, or related to their health conditions (past, present, or future).
Which of the following is the most appropriate method for disposing of Protected Health Information (PHI) when it is no longer needed?[Shred or incinerate it]
Disclosure and Access
Information can only be shared with:
The patient.
The prescriber.
Healthcare insurance plan, primarily during payment processing.
Adhere to the “minimum necessary” standard: Only disclose necessary information for the specific role in patient care.
Access should be limited to what is necessary for performing duties effectively and securely.
Compliance Practices
Patient Acknowledgment:
New patients must sign acknowledgment of HIPAA privacy practices.
Keep acknowledgments on file for 6 years after the last service date.
Consent is Key:
Selling patient information requires explicit consent.
Pharmacies cannot sell data without this consent.
Annual Training: All staff undergo annual HIPAA training.
HIPAA Privacy Officer: Available in every healthcare facility for reference and training.
Data Access Control
Access to sensitive information is tightly controlled, regularly updated, and revoked if necessary.
Employee access is removed upon termination, firing, or department transfer.