The modern health care industry is affected by the issue of confidentiality. It relates to the manner in which nurses communicate with patients and their families, as well as each other. The breach of patient information is considered a breach of the current code of ethics for nurses. The code stresses the importance of privacy in advocating and promoting the rights of patients. Regardless of the introduction of modern technology, the issues of confidentiality still exist. The patient’s information that is private and confidential remains breached, calling for the need for numerous changes in the healthcare sector. The changes are important as they prompt nurses to keep patients’ information private. Therefore, the policy of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is aimed at addressing the challenges of confidentiality as described in this paper.
HIPAA Privacy Rules
HIPAA encompasses privacy rules that are meant to safeguard the patient’s private information. It is also referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI). The law was enacted to protect personal private information. Thus, HIPAA ensures that any health information regarding the private life of a patient is protected. However, it does not matter whether the information is recorded, oral, or written. The law safeguards health information which is created or received through a health plan, life insurer, university, public health authority, or an employer. In addition, the law protects information which relates to the present, past or future of an individual. In all these ways, nurses and other healthcare providers are required to protect health information in whichever medium.