HIPAA Security Rule Concepts

Although the HIPAA Security Rule protects ePHI and therefore focuses a great deal of attention on technology-based mechanisms that safeguard information, its administrative safeguard standards are equally as important. In fact, they comprise over half of the HIPAA security requirements. Dr. Hoffman, who co-owns a physician practice with several other physicians, realizes this. He also knows that a reliable and well-trained workforce is at the heart of a solid security program. He has recently hired you as his security officer. One of his priorities is ensuring workforce compliance.  

Use the above prompt to gather your thoughts..   In addition, I suggest that you do your own research on the HIPAA Security Rule Concepts and write a short (no more than 3 pages) essay responding to the questions below… 

Please Note:  Please provide a header at the top of your paper or a formal title page.   In addition, please make sure you have a separate reference page to document citations.   Lastly, the case study should be in an essay format,  please do not respond using a question and answer format, where you are listing out the prompts and then answering underneath.  Contact me with any questions or concerns! 

1. 1. What safeguard standard (and implementation specifications, if applicable) do you think you should address first? Why?
   2. The second implementation specification under the workforce security safeguard standard is the development of workforce clearance procedures. What will you include in such procedures?
   3. On the day you begin your duties as the security officer, Dr. Hoffman’s office manager informs you that one of the clerical staff, Ruby, will be terminated next week. There are some concerns about protecting electronic PHI once Ruby is informed of her termination. You look for the organization’s termination procedure. There is none. You know you need to write one quickly. What will you include in it? What steps will you take to be sure your ePHI is protected surrounding Ruby’s (or any other employee’s) termination?
   4. Security awareness and training is one of the Security Rule’s safeguard standards. Discuss the implementation specifications and how you will apply these to educate the workforce in this medical practice.
   5. There is no protocol in place for handling security incidents such as unauthorized attempts to access patient information. Use the Security Incident Procedures safeguard standard and its implementation specifications to outline what you will include in your policies and procedures.