·         What security measures does HIPAA require for controlling access to the patient’s personal health information?

Working in the health insurance industry for the last 2 years I have learned about HIPAA or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the importance of following this law. The law was designed to protect a patient’s medical records and maintain privacy for a patient. This act ensures confidentiality with in the medical field for all patients. It also is valuable in protecting a patient’s private personal information. The act allows for a secure flow of needed information to provide quality health care. HIPAA designates how paper, oral and electronic information is handled, transferred or shared. One of the best ways to comply is give only the minimum necessary information needed to handle the situation. This law applies to any health care provider that handles a patient’s personal and healthcare information. Over the last 2 years I have been told that HIPAA is not a law by numerous health care workers, which caused me to look it up and make sure I was correct in what I was stating, also to make sure I was compliant. I found that yes, it is a law.

“The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Public Law104-191, was enacted on August 21, 1996. Sections 261 through 264 of HIPAA” (Summary of HIPAA HHS.gov)

It seems HIPAA is very often misunderstood and some feel it would be worth eliminating. (Franklin, 2010) In my opinion it is needed in our society and should be followed. After reaffirming that HIPAA was law I noticed some of the ways medical professionals could be violation of HIPAA when calling the insurance company, by using a speaker phone or discussing a patient’s information loudly where other patients can hear. Many times, I have listened to them take care of another patient while answering my questions. Other items I found in my research that will help in securing HIPAA is keeping printed information secure never in the view of the public. Making sure that emails including HIPAA information are sent encrypted. Ensuring that computer screens are either turned off or blacked out when you are away from them and changing passwords frequently will protect the patient’s information.

            HIPAA also gives the patient rights over their health information regardless of how it is stored, printed or electronically. Under the privacy rule a patient may: see or get a copy of their medical records, request mistakes are corrected, receive notice of how their information is being used or shared, also to say how and when the patient would like to be contacted by a health care provider. Patients may also file complaints if they think that their rights have been violated. (Rodriguez, 2011)

Search strings used:

1.    What security measures does HIPAA require for controlling access to the patient’s personal health information

2.    HIPAA Law

3.    HIPPA Law + articles

Search Engines Used:

HIPAA Rules – gov page – Google

Blundering past HIPAA- Dogpile

Health it Buzz – DuckDuckgo

 

 

 

What kinds of alternative treatments are available for treatment of cancer?

Cancer is defined as something evil or malignant that spreads destructively. (Merriam-Webster) The hope of a cure has been around for generations yet many believe that there will never be a cure since treatment of cancer is far to prosperous. (Thomas,2014) Webster defines a cure as “a complete or permanent solution or remedy.” I would describe someone as cured if the cancer never returned. Medical science defines a cured, when the cancer has not returned for at least 5 years after treatment. (Thomas,2014)

Conventional treatment of Cancer includes: Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Target therapy, and Stem cell transplants. Many of these treatments are not a full cure and some could even cause the reoccurrence of cancer. The hope of many alternative treatments is that the cure would be finale ending in a healthy person for the remainder of their lives. There are many known treatments for the symptoms caused by conventional cancer treatment that are also offered at the same time. Yoga, exercise, hypnosis, massage, mediation, relaxation techniques, aromatherapy, Tai Chi and music therapy seem to be the most popular. (Mayo Foundation) Marijuana has been used to alleviate pain and nausea over the years. Studies done on patients looking for cures outside of traditional medicine have shown an increase in the death rate. (NCI,2017) Some Doctors reject alternative medicine completely but others knowing the need for trust and wellbeing during treatment will work with you using both traditional medicine and alternative medicine. The FDA has a list of 187 fake cancer cures (https://www.fda.gov/) alternative choices flourish when people are scared cancer seems to bring them on by the hundreds.

In studying this subject I have come to believe that there are many complementary therapies to choose from but starting with modern medicine is perhaps the wises choice then choosing a physician and facility that will work with you and your choices.

   

 

 

 

 

mayoclinic.org cancer treatment  – Bing

American cancer society – Google

healthimpactnews-unapproved cures -Yahoo

 

Reference:

Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. (2013, July 26). Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.htmlContent created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Content last reviewed on July 26, 2013

Rodriguez/ Former Director, HHS Office for Civil Rights, L. (2011, December 12). Privacy, Security, and Electronic Health Records – Health IT Buzz. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/privacy-and-security-of-ehrs/privacy-security-electronic-health-records/

Franklin, C. (2010, January 24). Blundering past HIPAA. Retrieved from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-24/news/1001230205_1_hipaa-medical-privacy-medical-records
Cory Franklin is a physician who lives in Wilmette.

Thompson, J. P. (2014, August 16). Unapproved but Effective Cancer Cures. Retrieved from http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/unapproved-but-effective-cancer-cures/
The Cancer Industry is Too Prosperous to Allow a Cure

NCI Staff. (2017, September 12). Alternative Medicine for Cancer Treatment Raises Mortality Risk. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2017/alternative-medicine-cancer-survival

Kamath MD, S. D. (2017, August 29). Cancer is ‘natural.’ The best treatments for it aren’t. Retrieved from https://www.statnews.com/2017/08/29/cancer-treatment-alternative-medicine/