NURS FPX 4045 Assignment 2 Protected Health Information

NURS FPX 4045 Assignment 2 Protected Health Information

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4045 Nursing Informatics: Managing Health Information and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Staff Update: Protecting Patient Privacy on Social Media

Protected Health Information (PHI)

PHI includes any patient data or personal details that can identify someone and relate to their health or treatment. This covers names, addresses, birth dates, care plans, pain control methods, comfort measures, and insurance or hospital benefits (Keshta & Odeh, 2021). In hospital settings, where many staff handle sensitive information, proper PHI management is vital to uphold HIPAA rules and maintain family trust.

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• HIPAA was created to safeguard the privacy and security of individuals’ PHI in the U.S. (Adeniyi et al., 2024). It restricts the disclosure of PHI from hospital settings without clear patient consent. Patients and their families have the right to decide who can access their PHI, including end-of-life information. HIPAA requires that PHI in hospitals stays confidential, including during virtual communication.

Security Rule: In a hospital setting, care teams must protect electronic health information (EHI) from threats and unauthorized access (Adeniyi et al., 2024). For example, sharing end-of-life updates or care notes via unsecured platforms can lead to data breaches. Using non-encrypted systems risks interception of sensitive PHI by cybercriminals. Privacy Rule: In hospital settings, this rule limits PHI disclosure without patient consent, giving patients and families control over data sharing (Kanchan & Gaidhane, 2023). For instance, discussing a patient’s final moments on a virtual call in a shared space may expose private details to others nearby. Confidentiality Rule: Hospitals must ensure EHI remains secure and is not misused during care coordination. Posting patient updates or clinical stories on unsecured social media in a hospital setting can unintentionally reveal PHI.

Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Protecting EHI

• In hospital settings, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to protect EHI during virtual communication and ensure adherence to confidentiality and data protection regulations. Coordination between clinicians, administrators, IT teams, and security staff enables safe data sharing through telehealth tools.
• Each role brings key knowledge to a shared plan that strengthens EHI protection and lowers cyber threats (Keshta & Odeh, 2021). Healthcare providers complete cybersecurity training to stay updated on EHI protection, using strong passwords, encrypted documents, and secure platforms when discussing sensitive patient care.
• Administrators uphold strict data rules and direct resources to IT and security efforts.
• Security teams oversee telehealth systems, conduct audits, and track unusual access to prevent PHI exposure.
• IT staff develop secure systems using firewalls and encryption to protect data during remote hospital setting consultations (Kanchan & Gaidhane, 2023).
• Many top healthcare organizations now use these joint strategies to safeguard patient data during critical care in hospital settings.

Evidence on Social Media Violations

• While delivering care in remote hospital settings, healthcare professionals—particularly nurses—must remain cautious and avoid posting care-related details or emotional content on social media. Doing so can lead to serious outcomes such as job loss, revocation of nursing credentials, fines, or even legal action (Kanchan & Gaidhane, 2023).

Violation Cases

• UCLA Medical Center: Employees were fired, and the hospital paid $865,000 after staff accessed a celebrity’s medical records without permission (Secureframe, 2023).
• New York-Presbyterian Hospital: Fined $3.3 million for letting a TV crew film patients without proper consent (Secureframe, 2023).
• Anthem Inc.: Paid a record $16 million after a cyberattack compromised data of nearly 79 million individuals (Secureframe, 2023).

Practices to Protect Patient Medical Information

Effective practices to secure EHI in hospital settings include:

• Secure Communication Tools: Use encrypted messaging systems and password-protected platforms for all virtual consultations and patient data sharing.
• Access Control Measures: Limit EHI access to authorized hospital staff only, using role-based permissions and regular audits to detect unauthorized activity.
• Regular Staff Training: Conduct routine training for hospital personnel on HIPAA regulations, data protection protocols, and safe telehealth practices (LaMonica et al., 2021).

Strategies for PHI Privacy Using Social Media

• Staff Training: Provide ongoing education on HIPAA and social media policies to strengthen awareness of privacy regulations.
• Clear Guidelines: Establish and share clear rules on appropriate social media behavior within hospital settings.
• Monitoring and Accountability: Designate compliance personnel to oversee digital activity and respond swiftly to any breaches (LaMonica et al., 2021).

Dos on Social Media:

• Share general health info without patient specifics.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms.

Don’ts on Social Media:

• Post patient stories or images.
• Discuss sensitive care situations.
• Share emotional reflections on patient care.

References

Adeniyi, A. O., Arowoogun, J. O., Chidi, R., Okolo, C. A., & Babawarun, O. (2024). The impact of electronic health records on patient care and outcomes: A comprehensive review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(2), 1446–1455. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.2.0592

Kanchan, S., & Gaidhane, A. (2023). Social media role and its impact on public health: A narrative review. Cureus, 15(1), e33737. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33737

Keshta, I., & Odeh, A. (2021). Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 22(2), 177–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eij.2020.07.003

LaMonica, H. M., Roberts, A. E., Lee, G. Y., Davenport, T. A., & Hickie, I. B. (2021). Privacy practices of health information technologies: Privacy policy risk assessment study and proposed guidelines. ProQuest, 23(9), e26317. https://doi.org/10.2196/26317

NURS FPX 4045 Assignment 2 Protected Health Information

Secureframe. (2023). HIPAA violations: 5 cases to learn from. Secureframe.com. https://secureframe.com/hub/hipaa/violations