Privacy & Data Security Flashcards
6 cards from real HMCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Privacy & Data Security flashcards as text
What is a HIPAA risk analysis?
Answer: A comprehensive evaluation of potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI
HIPAA requires covered entities to conduct thorough risk analyses identifying threats to ePHI, assessing their likelihood and impact, and implementing appropriate security measures to mitigate identified risks.
What is encryption and why is it important for healthcare data?
Answer: Converting data into a coded format that can only be read with the proper decryption key, protecting PHI from unauthorized access
Encryption renders ePHI unreadable to unauthorized users. Under the Breach Notification Rule, properly encrypted data that is compromised is not considered a reportable breach, making encryption a powerful safeguard.
What constitutes a HIPAA violation?
Answer: Any failure to comply with HIPAA rules, including unauthorized PHI disclosure, inadequate safeguards, failure to provide patient access, or lack of breach notification
HIPAA violations range from administrative failures (no risk analysis, inadequate training) to operational breaches (unauthorized access, improper disclosures, failure to encrypt), with penalties based on the level of negligence.
What is the role of a Privacy Officer?
Answer: A designated individual responsible for developing and implementing HIPAA privacy policies and handling privacy complaints
HIPAA requires covered entities to designate a Privacy Officer responsible for privacy policies, workforce training, complaint handling, privacy impact assessments, and ensuring organizational compliance with the Privacy Rule.
What are the requirements for healthcare data breach response?
Answer: Investigation of the incident, risk assessment of the breach, notification to affected individuals and HHS, mitigation of harm, and documentation of the response
Breach response requires prompt investigation, risk assessment (who, what, likelihood of re-disclosure), individual notification within 60 days, HHS notification, media notification if 500+ affected, and mitigation measures.
How does social media use create HIPAA compliance risks in healthcare?
Answer: Healthcare workers may inadvertently disclose PHI through social media posts about patients, work situations, or photographs taken in clinical areas
Social media risks include posting patient photos, discussing identifiable cases, sharing workplace images containing PHI, and even well-intentioned posts that inadvertently reveal patient information. Training and policies are essential.