/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Nursing-Faculty-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Nursing-Faculty-Handbook.json

HIPPA Confidentiality Compliance

The public is entitled to confidentiality of their medical and personal information. The right to confidentiality of medical information is protected by state law and federal privacy regulations known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

HIPAA is US law established in 1996 and designed to provide protection of a patients' medical records and health related information that is provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. The regulations specify substantial penalties for breach of client confidentiality.

Students will be asked to complete the LINK Acknowledgement of Confidentiality Policy form.  

1. All client medical and personal information is confidential information regardless of educational or clinical setting(s) and must be held in strict confidence. This confidential information must not become casual conversation anywhere in or out of a hospital, clinic, or any other venue. Information may only be shared with healthcare providers, supervising faculty, hospital or clinic employees, and students involved in the care or services for the client, or involved in approved research projects who have a valid need to know the information. Any discussion about a patient's  private information should be limited to their case manager.
2. Hospital Information System's user codes/passwords are confidential. Only the individual to whom the code/password is issued should know the code. No one may attempt to obtain access through the computer system to information to which he/she is not authorized to view or receive. If you are aware that another individual knows your code/password, it is your responsibility to request a new user code/password.  
3. If a violation of this policy occurs or is suspected, students or faculty members should immediately report this information to their supervising faculty member. 
4. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action and may include termination from the nursing program. Intentional misuse of protected health information could also subject an individual to civil and criminal penalties. 
5. Only under specific circumstances and upon receipt of a properly executed medical authorization form by the client or receipt of a subpoena, can medical information legally be released to the requesting party. Inquiries regarding the appropriates of the authorization or subpoena should be directed to the Donnelly Director of the Nursing.