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In a world where cell phones have cameras and millions of people participate in social networking activities like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, it is easy to forget what information is private. People receiving care in hospitals are at their most vulnerable. Because we as health care workers have access to sensitive information, we are held to a high standard when it comes to patient privacy.

Patients trust that what they tell us will stay with us unless they give us permission to share the information, or the information is shared for the safety and well-being of the patient. This duty was much easier when each patient had only one copy of a paper record. Today electronic records make it possible to forget the boundaries of privacy and inappropriately share confidential information; these days, such a breach can mean that anyone with access to the World Wide Web is looking.

Protecting private health information has become very complex, which is why there is a federal HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule. Clarian Health also has HIPAA policies and procedures to guide employee behavior. The HIPAA rules create national standards designed to protect personal health information. The rules set limitations on the use and disclosure of health records and establish safeguards to protect the privacy of health information. For the average health care provider like Clarian, the Privacy Rule requires activities such as:

• Adopting and implementing privacy procedures
• Training employees so that they understand the privacy procedures
• Designating an individual to be responsible for overseeing privacy procedures
• Properly securing patient health information

Health care providers have a strong tradition of safeguarding private health information. That tradition is based on trust.

The hospital system I work for has an abundance of resources to help nurses navigate the nuances of the HIPAA rules including a new Web page with links to policies, training modules and people who can help us uphold the trust of our patients when it comes to protected health information.

What does your employer do to help you understand HIPAA?

Lucia Wocial, PhD, RN
Clarian Health Nurse Ethicist

To apply for a nursing position at Clarian, visit Registered Nurse Jobs Indianapolis.