Author: Dimick, Chris

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: February 2009

Health IT won’t advance far without resolving the complex issue of privacy protections. Can a complicated situation be teased apart thread by thread?

The debate on privacy has become very public.

Privacy advocates, health IT advocates, providers, HIM professionals, fe....

Author: Gore, Glennda

Source: AHIMA Foundation

Publication Date: January 08, 2002

In an effort to comply with the upcoming HIPAA confidentiality requirements, McAlester Regional Health Center has begun to review all policies and procedures concerning patient confidentiality and data security. During this process, the use of language interpreters was identified as one a....

Author: Barrett, Charlotte S; Beidler, Aurae; Davis, Nancy; Glondys, Barbara

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: November 2016

Developing policies and standard procedures when working with patient aliases is one way to both respect patient privacy but also ensure the accuracy and integrity of patient data.


As defined in AHIMA’s Pocket Glossary, an “alias” is “a name added to,....

Author: Shanley, Suzanne

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: May 02, 2003

Under the security rule, covered entities must ensure that some process is put in place to record and review system access and activity. Audit controls are required to record any alterations to confidential patient information, including changes to content and the addition or deletion of info....

Author: AHIMA e-HIM Work Group on Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs)

Source: AHIMA practice brief | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: March 2006

This practice brief has been retired. It is made available for historical purposes only.

Author: Amatayakul, Margret; Work, Mitch

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2007

Survey results illustrate HIM participation in compliance efforts and offer a look at common program components
HIM professionals have long been at the forefront of ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of health information. With the introduction of the HIPAA privacy and security rul....

Author: Salem, Didier

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: July 02, 2003

While adherence to most of the HIPAA privacy rule clauses requires establishment of policies, procedures, and training of appropriate personnel, some of the clauses require establishing permanent record-keeping processes. Accounting of disclosures, minimum necessary, complaints, sanctions, an....

Author: Gallagher, Patrick; Pavoni, Mary Mike

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: April 02, 2003

HIPAA laws have strengthened patients’ rights concerning access to their private medical information while at the same time making them more aware of their rights. Consequently, more patients are going to be requesting an accounting of disclosures (AOD) in the future.
According to secti....

Author: AHIMA Professional Practice Team

Source: AHIMA Q and A

Publication Date: October 2002

Because HIPAA gives patients the right to copy their medical records, does my facility have to supply a copy machine for this purpose or allow patients to take their records to a copy center?
According to section 164.520 of the HIPAA final privacy rule, an individual has "the right to inspect....

Author: AHIMA Professional Practice Team

Source: AHIMA Q and A

Publication Date: October 2002

Who can authorize the release of patient health information on behalf of a deceased patient?
The individual authorized to consent to the release of patient health information on behalf of a deceased patient varies by state.
Usually, the personal representative of a deceased patient (execu....