HIPAA - Compliant Standardization - Essay Example

 Reading current newsletters and journals would be pivotal since it provides updated information on new trends. The research would also encompass investigating how various related companies or organizations employ the HIPAA rules and regulations (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). While at this, I will be keen on the strengths and weaknesses of these organizations to ensure that the new practice redress any errors. Besides, personnel in the organization must also be interviewed to know their perceptions or attitudes toward the new policy (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). I would also study how the organization has attempted to comply with HIPAA. All these will provide a good head start. I will be able to strategize a plan for the application of HIPAA.

            Also, to ensure compliance, I would advise the physician about the security standards of HIPAA. They demand that they have the obligation of securing the patient's electronic medical information (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). It should be done by using a series of procedures and mechanisms that aim at restoring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the information. That is to say, the physician is accountable for the medical information about the patient. In the case of any irregularity, the physician will be held responsible (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). The new medical practice location should be in a place with enough security that will provide ample protection for both electronic media and other documents. The information here is the one that is collected, maintained, used, and transmitted by the physician (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). The general practitioner must know that the more discrete the new practice is regarding the medical information of patients, the more trustworthy it will become. HIPAA controls how a physician can use and disclose health information.

            As mentioned above, HIPAA is a collection of security rules that aim at protecting the patient’s information. One of the essential HIPAA policy security requirements is confidentiality. HIPAA demands that patients' formation is kept confidential (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). The rule requires physicians not to disclose medical information about the patient unless otherwise (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). That is to say, adherence to the procedures and the law ensures that the information may or may not be disclosed. The policy is important because it helps in building trust and confidence between the patient and the health facility.

            The second vital policy requirement is data availability. The regulation seeks to ensure the availability of data when needed (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). According to HIPAA, it is the sole mandate of the medical facility to receive and store data properly. The data stored is crucial for future reference. Besides, the data can be used to justify the transparency and accountability of the health facility. Access to data, whenever required, is only possible if the organization adheres to HIPAA regulations on security.

            The third vital security requirement of HIPAA is the integrity of the stored medical information or data in the facility (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). HIPAA requires any health service to ensure that the stored patient information is not distorted, corrupted, or changed without authorization (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). Information with utmost integrity ensures that future treatments or consultations carried out by the patient are relevant. The policy is important because it eradicates incidents of transmission of wrong information.

            In conclusion, ensuring proper standards and advising the physician is crucial for the compliance of the new medical practice with the HIPAA requirements. The three essential HIPAA security policy requirements are critical to the success of the new practice, which is only possible if the physician adheres to the HIPAA rules discussed in the paper.