HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security – Course Overview

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HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security – Course Overview

HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security is a critical course designed for students pursuing a career in Health Information Management (HIM). This course focuses on the legal, ethical, and technical aspects of protecting sensitive healthcare information, ensuring that students understand how to maintain the privacy and security of health data in compliance with regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). As healthcare systems increasingly rely on electronic records and digital communication, this course equips students with the knowledge and skills to safeguard patient information and prevent breaches of privacy.

What You Will Learn in HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security

In this course, students will explore the key principles and frameworks surrounding healthcare privacy and security. Topics will cover legal regulations, the ethical implications of handling healthcare data, and the technical safeguards required to protect sensitive health information in healthcare organizations. Students will also learn about risk management strategies and the role of HIM professionals in ensuring compliance with healthcare security standards.

Key Topics Covered in HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security

The course provides an in-depth look at various aspects of healthcare privacy and security, including:

  • Introduction to Healthcare Privacy and Security: Understand the fundamentals of healthcare privacy and security, and how these issues are critical to the trust and effectiveness of healthcare systems.

  • HIPAA and Other Legal Frameworks: Learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), its requirements, and how it impacts the handling of patient data. Study other relevant laws and regulations, including HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) and state-specific privacy laws.

  • Patient Rights and Confidentiality: Explore the rights patients have regarding their health data, including access, amendments, and control over how their information is shared and used.

  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) Security: Study the specific security measures and protocols needed to protect Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and other digital health information systems from cyber threats.

  • Risk Management and Data Breaches: Learn how to identify potential threats to healthcare data, implement risk management strategies, and handle breaches of security effectively in compliance with the law.

  • Access Control and Authentication: Understand how to implement and manage access controls, user authentication, and authorization processes to ensure only authorized individuals have access to sensitive health information.

  • Data Encryption and Protection: Learn about the importance of encrypting data in transit and at rest to protect healthcare information from unauthorized access.

  • Compliance Audits and Reporting: Study how healthcare organizations conduct audits to ensure compliance with privacy and security regulations, and learn the procedures for reporting breaches or violations.

  • Healthcare Privacy and Security Ethics: Understand the ethical implications of privacy and security decisions in healthcare, and how HIM professionals can balance patient care needs with the protection of data.

Learning Objectives of HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Understand the legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements for healthcare privacy and security, with a focus on HIPAA and related laws.

  • Be able to apply privacy and security practices to safeguard patient data in both paper and electronic formats.

  • Understand how to manage risks associated with healthcare data breaches and develop plans for mitigating these risks.

  • Gain proficiency in handling sensitive health information in a way that ensures compliance with privacy laws and organizational policies.

  • Learn to evaluate the security of Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems and other digital healthcare platforms to ensure they are properly protected.

  • Develop an understanding of the role of HIM professionals in maintaining compliance with healthcare privacy and security standards.

  • Learn how to manage and report breaches of healthcare data, and ensure corrective actions are taken to prevent future incidents.

Who Should Take HIM 4004: Healthcare Privacy and Security?

HIM 4004 is designed for students pursuing careers in Health Information Management, healthcare administration, and other roles that involve managing patient data. This course is especially beneficial for:

  • Health Information Management (HIM) Students: Those pursuing careers as health information managers, medical coders, or other HIM professionals who need to ensure data security and privacy compliance.

  • Healthcare Administrators: Individuals involved in healthcare operations who need to understand privacy and security regulations as they apply to patient data management.

  • Compliance Officers: Professionals responsible for ensuring healthcare organizations comply with regulatory standards, including privacy and security laws.

  • Healthcare IT Professionals: Those working in healthcare technology who need to understand the technical aspects of securing patient data, including EHR security, encryption, and access control.

  • Healthcare Privacy and Security Consultants: Individuals interested in providing consultation services to healthcare organizations on how to improve their privacy and security practices.

Published by Ivy