Paper
Monday, November 5, 2007
482
Level of Hipaa Knowledge during Patient Interventions from Healthcare Professionals and Other Associates
Marisol Perez, RN, MSN, Quality, MMM Healthcare, Inc.- An Aveta Co, San Juan, PR, USA
| Learning Objective #1: identify the importance of incorporating the standards of HIPAA in all patient interventions |
| Learning Objective #2: compare and contrast the level of knowledge exhibited by healthcare professionals and associates in Puerto Rico with other areas or regions of the U.S. |
Requirements and responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) apply directly to healthcare professionals, facilities and its associates, and are specified in the Schedule II -Administrative Simplification, Subtitle F, section 262-264. All healthcare professionals, associates and facilities must act in accordance with intervention requirements related to patients’ rights, communication/privacy and security. The purpose of this quantitative-descriptive study was to explore the level of knowledge during patient interventions. A likert style instrument was designed and administered to 45 volunteer participants who met inclusion criteria. Interventions were classified into three main categories related to patients’ rights, communication/privacy and security. Participants selected their interventions based on most probable to least. The final score was divided into three levels of knowledge that went from optimal to deficient. Results revealed that 80% (n=36) of participants had a deficient level of knowledge related to HIPAA in their interventions with patients. This result correlates with findings from other authors in the U.S. mainland. Analysis of all three categories was done to further understand the area of greater deficiency or optimal level of knowledge. In conclusion, healthcare professionals and associates need additional continuing education and further clarification in relation to patients’ rights, communication/privacy and security to maintain compliance with the requirements of HIPAA.