NURS FPX 4045 Assessment 2 Protected Health Information

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4045 Nursing Informatics: Managing Health Information and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Protected Health Information (PHI) comprises any data that can be used to identify an individual and is associated with their health condition, treatment, or payment. It encompasses elements such as patient names, birthdates, addresses, prescribed medications, assessment results, and insurance or payment information (Pool et al., 2024). In telehealth settings, managing PHI with diligence is essential to building trust with patients and maintaining compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA plays a crucial role in preserving the confidentiality and security of individuals’ PHI across the United States (Lindsey et al., 2025). It prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of PHI and gives patients legal rights to access and control the use of their health information. Under HIPAA, it is mandatory to ensure the secure and confidential handling of PHI, especially within telehealth frameworks.

The act includes specific rules designed to protect electronic health information (EHI):

HIPAA Rules and Examples

HIPAA Rule	Description	Example
Security Rule	Mandates the implementation of safeguards to protect EHI from threats.	Using an unsecured video platform for telehealth may result in PHI being hacked.
Privacy Rule	Restricts sharing PHI without proper authorization and allows patients control.	Conducting a telehealth session in public risks others overhearing sensitive information.
Confidentiality Rule	Ensures PHI shared during telehealth is kept private and secure.	Transmitting patient data through social media could unintentionally expose PHI.

Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Protecting EHI

Collaborative efforts among clinical, administrative, IT, and security teams are essential for securing EHI in telehealth environments. By pooling expertise, healthcare organizations can develop integrated strategies that effectively address data protection challenges and reduce the risk of breaches (Pool et al., 2023). Healthcare providers participate in cybersecurity education, using secure channels and strong passwords. Administrators focus on policy implementation and budgeting for technical safeguards. Security staff are tasked with conducting audits and breach prevention. Meanwhile, IT professionals deploy advanced security technologies to fortify data transmission protocols.

Interdisciplinary Roles in EHI Protection

Role	Responsibility
Clinical Staff	Participate in security training and apply secure practices during telehealth.
Administrators	Develop and enforce policies, allocate resources for data protection.
Security Personnel	Monitor access, perform audits, and detect unauthorized activities.
Technical Staff	Implement encrypted systems, firewalls, and secure communication tools.

Hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic exemplify this comprehensive strategy, successfully securing patient information through a united approach (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Evidence on Social Media Violations

Healthcare workers, particularly nurses, must exercise caution when engaging on social media while offering remote care. Sharing any form of PHI or care details online may result in severe disciplinary action, including job termination, fines, loss of licensure, and even imprisonment (Moore & Frye, 2020).

Documented Violations of PHI on Social Media

Incident	Consequence
Nurse assistant posted a near-nude video of an Alzheimer’s patient (2016).	Terminated from employment.
Oral surgeon shared PHI on a review site (October 2019).	Fined \$10,000.
Staff nurse uploaded a patient video online.	Imprisoned for one month and dismissed.
Green Ridge Behavioral Healthcare exposed PHI of 14,000 individuals.	Fined \$40,000.

What Not To Do On Social Media

Healthcare professionals should strictly avoid sharing any patient-related data or work experiences on social media. The following behaviors must be avoided to ensure HIPAA compliance and maintain patient trust:

• Refrain from posting patient images, information, or case details online.
• Avoid sending or accepting friend requests from patients.
• Never use social media platforms to transmit PHI.
• Do not discuss workplace incidents in public online forums.
• Avoid social media usage during shifts and always log out after use.
• Promptly report any suspected social media data breaches.

Practices to Protect Patient Medical Information

To protect EHI during telehealth activities, organizations must adopt best practices that enhance digital security and ensure compliance.

Best Practices for EHI Protection

Practice	Description	Example
Implementing Robust Security	Utilize firewalls and encryption tools like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).	The Mayo Clinic uses SSL to protect data transfers during care (Mayo Clinic, 2024).
Performing Safety Audits	Conduct regular evaluations of telehealth systems to identify gaps and ensure HIPAA alignment.	Massachusetts General Hospital conducts self-audits to maintain patient privacy (MGH, n.d.).
Organizing Cybersecurity Workshops	Train healthcare staff on data privacy practices and digital safety protocols.	Workshops improve provider competence in using secure platforms during virtual consultations.

Strategies for PHI Privacy Using Social Media

Effective strategies to maintain PHI confidentiality on social media include:

• Providing regular training to healthcare staff about HIPAA regulations and social media use (Alder, 2025).
• Establishing policies that prohibit discussing patient-related content online or interacting with patients on social media.
• Encouraging encrypted platforms for professional communication to mitigate the risk of unauthorized disclosures.
• Creating a formal breach-reporting system to expedite incident response, reduce exposure, and implement corrective actions swiftly.

References

Alder, S. (2023). HIPAA and social media rules – Updated for 2023. The HIPAA Journal. https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-social-media/

Alder, S. (2023). HIPAA privacy rule – updated for 2023. The HIPAA Journal. https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-privacy-rule/

NURS FPX 4045 Assessment 2 Protected Health Information

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Holistic, multidisciplinary approach protects patient data and privacy. Cleveland Clinic.org. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/holistic-multidisciplinary-approach-protects-patient-data-and-privacy/

Lindsey, D., Sniker, R., Travers, C., Budhwani, H., Richardson, M., Quisney, R., & Shukla, V. V. (2023). When HIPAA hurts: Legal barriers to texting may reinforce healthcare disparities and disenfranchise vulnerable patients. Journal of Perinatology, 45(2), 278–281. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-00805-5

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Privacy policy. Mayo Clinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/privacy-policy

MGH. (n.d.). Protect our patients’ privacy. Massachusetts General Hospital.org. https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/MGH/pdf/research/mgh-privacy-presentation.pdf

Moore, W., & Frye, S. (2020). Review of HIPAA, part 2: Infractions, rights, violations, and role for the imaging technologist. Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology, 48(1), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnmt.119.227827

NURS FPX 4045 Assessment 2 Protected Health Information

Pool, J., Akhlaghpour, S., Fatehi, F., & Burton-Jones, A. (2023). A systematic analysis of failures in protecting personal health data: A scoping review. International Journal of Information Management, 74, 102719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102719