respond to my classmates repont to DQ. Atleast 100 words and 1 citation each. DQThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Explain how HIPAA must disclose the protected health information of an infected patient with or exposed to COVID-19, when disclosure is needed to provide treatment, when notification is required by law, and when notifying public health to prevent the spread of disease. In replies to peers, describe other ethical issues you may be confronted with in your future career RESPOND 1 Hello Class, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, requiring the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for infected or exposed patients. HIPAA allows PHI disclosure when it’s necessary for treatment, mandated by law, or for public health purposes to prevent disease spread. Regarding treatment, healthcare providers can share PHI with involved professionals to ensure proper care. HIPAA also permits disclosure when required by law, such as reporting cases to public health authorities as mandated by local regulations. Sharing PHI with public health agencies is crucial for disease containment. HIPAA allows the disclosure of PHI to facilitate contact tracing, surveillance, and research efforts to control COVID-19 spread. In future careers, ethical issues may arise, including balancing individual autonomy with public health needs, addressing privacy concerns in technology and data sharing, and maintaining confidentiality during emergencies. Healthcare professionals must navigate these dilemmas while upholding patient-centered care and privacy principles. References: 1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Retrieved from [insert URL] 2. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). HIPAA and COVID-19. Retrieved from [insert URL] reponse 2 During the pandemic, healthcare facilities were not required to obtain patient consent before sharing COVID related patient health information, whether this is infection status, risk factors, treatments, or recovery status. Facilities also shared COVID related health information with the CDC in order to track positive cases and attempt to contain the virus. In any other scenario where we are not facing a global emergency, sharing this information would violate HIPAA guidelines. HIPAA is in place to protect all patient information. This includes diagnosis, treatments, and all other private health information regarding a patient. With all medical records online now, this still allows for the fastest, most effective way for patients to consent to their information being shared with other organizations. Just like a patient has the right to be informed on treatment options and their consent is required, sharing private information about their health also requires consent. Lenert, L., & McSwain, B. Y. (2020). Balancing health privacy, health information exchange, and research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA, 27(6), 963–966. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa039 RESPONSE 3 Hello Professor & Class, Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, covered entities (like hospitals and other healthcare providers) can share patient information without the patient’s explicit consent for the purposes of treatment. To control and reduce the spread of disease, PHI can be disclosed to public health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or a state or local health department. This allows these agencies to take appropriate measures like contact tracing, quarantine recommendations, or other containment strategies. Protecting an individual’s privacy is paramount under HIPAA. However, during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a challenge in balancing individual privacy rights with broader public health safety. How much information should be disclosed, and to whom, becomes a point of contention. Disclosing a person’s health status might impact their job, housing, or social relationships. This leads to the ethical question of how to provide necessary health-related information without causing unnecessary harm to an individual’s social and economic standing. Ensuring HIPAA compliance during the pandemic. (2020). Billing Alert for Long-Term Care, 22(12), 1–2.
