HIPAA: A Clinician’s Guide to Using and Protecting Patient’s Information

This 1-hour CE course provides nursing professionals with a comprehensive overview of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its application in clinical settings. The course addresses essential concepts surrounding patient privacy, data security, and the legal use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Participants will explore the core components of HIPAA, including the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. The course reviews common threats to PHI confidentiality, such as unauthorized access, improper disposal of records, and digital vulnerabilities. Guidance is provided on safeguarding patient information across electronic, verbal, and written communication.

Key topics include minimum necessary standards, appropriate use of electronic health records (EHRs), and procedures for handling requests for information. The course also outlines required administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, as well as penalties for violations and steps for breach reporting. Scenarios drawn from real-world clinical practice help illustrate the practical application of HIPAA standards in nursing roles.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define the key components and purpose of HIPAA.
• Identify the types of protected health information (PHI) and how they are regulated.
• Apply HIPAA rules to common clinical situations, including communication and documentation.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals in maintaining data privacy and security.
• Recognize potential breaches and take appropriate steps to report or prevent them.
• Ensure compliance through the implementation of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards.

Course Completion Requirements:

To earn 1 CE Credit Hour, participants must:

• Be registered for this course.
• Review all course materials.
• Complete the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
• Submit the course evaluation survey.

Note: Some courses may include additional requirements, such as participation in discussion boards or completion of practice exercises.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: This course's planners, authors, and presenters have disclosed no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships.
• Commercial Support: No commercial companies or sponsors have financially supported this activity.
• Non-Endorsement: Course approval applies solely to continuing education and does not imply endorsement of specific products or companies
• Off-Label Product Use: This course does not discuss off-label use of any FDA-approved products.