HIPPA Patient Confidentiality

The HIPPA Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 HIPAA is a US law designed to provide protection of a patients' medical records and health related information that is applied to health plans, doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. This refers to health plans, health care providers, health care faculty & students and facilities that provide health care.

HIPPA regulations specify substantial penalties for breach of client confidentiality; students will be asked to complete the Acknowledgement of Confidentiality Policy form.

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 to the client or involved in approved research projects who have a valid need to know the information while at the clinical location.
Students must also take care to assure clinical information is only discussed where it will not be overheard by visitors or other patients.
Hospital Information system user codes and passwords are confidential. Only the individual to whom the code and 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.
While at a clinical location, students are prohibited from taking photographs; making recordings (either video or audio) or posting ANY information about their clinical experience on social media. This includes, but is not limited to information or images of patients, instructors, healthcare professionals or other students for any reason.
It is prohibited to copy, scan, email, post or maintain personal information about a patient, including but not limited to name, description of health issues, chart information or testing information.
If a violation of this policy occurs or is suspected, students or faculty members should immediately report this information to their supervising faculty member.
Violations of the HIPPA policy will result in disciplinary action and may include termination from the program. Intentional misuse of protected health information could also subject an individual to civil and criminal penalties.
Under strict circumstances, upon receipt of a properly executed medical authorization by the client or a subpoena, medical information may be released to the requesting party. Inquiries regarding the appropriates of the authorization or subpoena should be directed to the Director of the Nursing.