Prepare a workplace brief (8-10 double-spaced pages) to address a privacy breach that occurred in a health care organization. Include the consequences of failure to act and evidence-based recommendations for addressing the breach.
Introduction
Health care is one of the most heavily regulated major industries in the United States. Leaders are challenged to stay current and to comply with federal, state, and local laws and their associated regulations. Health care organizations are also responsible to meet industry standards. In some cases, payers equate meeting industry standards with achieving and maintaining accreditation. In fact, many payers consider accreditation a minimum condition of participation. In addition, individual licensure and certification requirements establish basic expectations for health care leaders’ professional conduct.
In summary, health care leaders are responsible to:
1.Meet ethical personal, professional conduct, certification, and licensure expectations.
2.Comply with local, state, and federal health care and human resources laws.
3.Provide evidence of compliance with existing regulations and scan the field for emerging regulations.
4.Identify and meet appropriate accrediting body standards (for example, Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals standards).
As an individual’s health care leadership career advances, so does the corresponding level of accountability. Not knowing the laws or regulations is notan excuse for not complying with them.
This assessment allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of and skills relating to compliance concepts, and governmental and regulatory agencies that oversee health care service delivery, billing, and general operations. You will also have the opportunity to apply the components necessary to initiate and maintain an effective compliance program. Finally, you will consider relevant human resources lawsthat may pertain to your compliance recommendations.
In this assessment, you are assuming the role of an early careerist in risk management and quality improvement at one of Vila Health’s community-based hospitals. Vila Health is a medium-sized system of health operating facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. You are working on a team-based initiative under the supervision of the Vila Health Chief Compliance Officer. Your role is to assist in addressing a specific compliance risk regarding a breach of privacy and a potential HIPAA violation.
