HIPPA and Technology - Essay Example

HIPAA guidelines and use of technology There are several HIPAA rules that address the use of iPhones and iPads. The HIT Policy Committee shall make recommendations in the following areas (Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, 2006):i. “A nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and accurate exchange of health information.” iPhones and iPads can be used to share information with patients.ii. “The use of electronic systems to ensure the comprehensive collection of patient demographic data, including, at a minimum, race, ethnicity, primary language, and gender information.

” iPhones and iPads can be used to collect useful data.iii. “Technologies that address the needs of children and other vulnerable populations.” HIPAA allows for technology that will address the needs of vulnerable people; iPhones and iPads may help to reach them since they may find it hard to reach various health institutions. The new changes in HIPAA regulations state that the sale of protected health information must not involve a disclosure of protected health information. An entity may not reveal protected health information unless the law compels the release of information or when required by the Secretary.

The article “How might the iPad change healthcare” notes that the iPad will bring a revolution in the health care sector since sharing of health related information will be very easy. The article “Identification of iPhone and iPad Applications for Obstetrics and Gynecology Providers” believes that it may be very hard to design gadgets that will address issues that pertain to obstetrics and gynecology.The HIPAA guidelines introduced many compliance issues that need to be addressed. Breach Notifications: Formerly, notifications were needed when a data breach posed any harm.

Today, it is required to inform the Department of Health and Human Services once unsecured data is breached.Gap Analysis: To bring current policies and procedures at the level of the latest regulations, providers and associates need to conduct a risk analysis to evaluate gaps in policies and procedures.Encryption Technology: All parties need to use encryption technology on portable devices to minimize the risk of exposure.The following are strategies to improve the use of iPads safely in health care:i.

To engrave permanently an iPad to assist in identificationii. Using the password and auto-locks in the right wayiii. Limiting access to confidential information when unsecured networksReferencesDepartment of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (2006). HIPAA Administrative Simplification. Retrieved on May 26, 2015 from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/privacyrule/adminsimpregtext.pdfFarag, S., Chyjek, K., & Chen, T. (2014). Identification of iPhone and iPad Applications for Obstetrics and Gynecology Providers.

Obstetrics & Gynecology, 124(5), 941-945.Marceglia, S., Bonacina, S., Zaccaria, V., Pagliari, C., & Pinciroli, F. (2012). How might the iPad change healthcare? Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 105(6), 233-241.