This assignment challenges students to critically analyze a real or hypothetical case involving a breach of protected health information (PHI). The goal is to apply principles of health informatics, legal and ethical standards, and data governance to evaluate the incident and propose evidence-based solutions.

Instructions:
Write a 3–5 page analysis of a HIPAA breach case. Your report should include:
1. Case Summary
• Briefly describe the breach: what happened, who was affected, and how PHI was compromised.
2. Regulatory and Ethical Evaluation
• Identify specific HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule violations.
• Discuss ethical implications related to patient trust, confidentiality, and professional accountability.
3. Root Cause Analysis
• Analyze contributing factors (e.g., human error, system failure, lack of training, poor access controls).
4. Corrective Actions and Recommendations
• Propose strategies to prevent future breaches, including technical safeguards, staff education, and policy updates.
• Reference informatics frameworks and best practices in data governance and cybersecurity.
5. Reflection
• Reflect on the role of nurses and interdisciplinary teams in protecting health information and promoting a culture of compliance.

APA Formatting Requirements

Title page, page numbers, running head
Double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt font
In-text citations and reference list (minimum 5 scholarly sources)
Use of level headings for organization