NURS FPX 4045 Assessment 2 Protected Health Information

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4045 Nursing Informatics: Managing Health Information and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Protected Health Information

Understanding Protected Health Information (PHI)

Protected Health Information (PHI) includes any patient-identifiable data that reflects a person’s health condition, healthcare provision, or healthcare payment history. These data can take various forms, such as names, addresses, birth dates, health assessment reports, prescribed medications, therapy procedures, insurance details, and payment records (Pool et al., 2024). In telehealth services, the accurate handling of PHI is essential for fostering patient trust and meeting HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) standards.

HIPAA Regulations and Rules

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was designed to protect patients’ privacy by ensuring that PHI remains secure and is not disclosed without consent (Lindsey et al., 2025). HIPAA mandates that patients retain control over their medical data, including the right to view, restrict, or permit access. It includes several components relevant to telehealth services:

The Security Rule ensures that electronic health information (EHI) is protected against cyber threats and unauthorized access. For instance, using unsecured video call platforms for virtual consultations increases the risk of hacking and data breaches.
The Privacy Rule prevents the unauthorized disclosure of PHI and gives patients authority over the use and sharing of their information (Alder, 2025). For example, discussing patient data in public areas or over social platforms may compromise privacy.
The Confidentiality Rule focuses on preventing the illicit use or sharing of EHI, especially during transmission. Sending PHI via unencrypted channels or social media exposes it to potential misuse.

Collaborative Efforts for PHI Protection in Telehealth

Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital in telehealth to secure electronic health data. Medical professionals, administrators, IT specialists, and security staff must work collectively to ensure PHI is handled responsibly and securely. Clinicians regularly participate in cybersecurity workshops to understand safe practices such as using encrypted communication tools and complex passwords. Administrators develop data protection protocols and invest in training and cybersecurity infrastructure. IT teams install systems like firewalls and encrypted transmission tools, while security officers conduct audits and monitor data flow to prevent unauthorized access (Pool et al., 2023). For example, the Cleveland Clinic has implemented a multidisciplinary model that reinforces data privacy while using health technologies (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Healthcare staff, particularly nurses, must remain cautious when engaging with social media platforms while providing remote care. Posting patient information, images, or discussing clinical events online can lead to severe penalties, including job loss, fines, or jail time (Moore & Frye, 2020). A nurse assistant was terminated in 2016 for uploading a near-nude video of an Alzheimer’s patient to Snapchat. In 2019, an oral surgeon was fined \$10,000 for disclosing PHI on a public review site. Another nurse faced imprisonment and job termination after uploading a patient’s video online (Alder, 2025). Additionally, Green Ridge Behavioral Healthcare was penalized \$40,000 for releasing the PHI of over 14,000 individuals.

To prevent privacy breaches, staff should follow these key practices:

Avoid sharing patient data, including images or discussions, on social media platforms.
Refrain from sending friend requests or personal messages to patients.
Never use social media for transferring patient PHI.
Keep work-related matters private and avoid public discussion online.
Avoid accessing social media during work hours and log out after use.
Immediately report any observed data breaches involving social media.

Protective Strategies for Telehealth Data

Protecting EHI during telehealth involves adopting advanced security and consistent safety protocols. Robust systems such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and firewalls protect data integrity. For example, Mayo Clinic uses SSL encryption to maintain patient confidentiality (Mayo Clinic, 2024). Regular audits, such as those performed by Massachusetts General Hospital, help uncover security lapses and refine privacy policies (MGH, n.d.). Organizing cybersecurity training also enables medical professionals to remain updated on HIPAA compliance and safeguard sensitive health data.

Consistent staff education is the first line of defense against PHI violations. Regular workshops on HIPAA guidelines, risks of data sharing, and safe practices empower staff to manage EHI responsibly (Alder, 2025). Institutions must enforce stringent social media usage policies, barring the mention of patient information or clinical incidents online. Utilizing encrypted tools for professional communications mitigates unauthorized data access. Finally, having an immediate reporting system allows rapid intervention in case of a breach, limiting potential damage.

Tabular Overview: HIPAA, Violations, and Protective Measures

HIPAA Guidelines	Real-World Violations	Protective Measures & Best Practices
Security Rule: Protect EHI with secure platforms (Lindsey et al., 2025).	Nurse assistant filmed Alzheimer’s patient for Snapchat (Moore & Frye, 2020).	Use SSL encryption and firewalls (Mayo Clinic, 2024).
Privacy Rule: Prohibit disclosure without patient consent (Alder, 2025).	Oral surgeon fined \$10,000 for posting PHI on social media (Alder, 2025).	Conduct regular HIPAA training sessions (Alder, 2025).
Confidentiality Rule: Avoid unprotected data sharing during telehealth.	Nurse jailed for posting patient video online (Alder, 2025).	Run periodic audits and enforce reporting systems (MGH, n.d.; Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

References

Alder, S. (2023). HIPAA and social media rules – Updated for 2023. The HIPAA Journal. https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-social-media/

Alder, S. (2023). HIPAA privacy rule – updated for 2023. The HIPAA Journal. https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-privacy-rule/#:~:text=The%20HIPAA%20Rules%20are%20the,and%20availability%20of%20healthcare%20covered

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Holistic, multidisciplinary approach protects patient data and privacy. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/holistic-multidisciplinary-approach-protects-patient-data-and-privacy/

Lindsey, D., Sniker, R., Travers, C., Budhwani, H., Richardson, M., Quisney, R., & Shukla, V. V. (2023). When HIPAA hurts: Legal barriers to texting may reinforce healthcare disparities and disenfranchise vulnerable patients. Journal of Perinatology, 45(2), 278–281. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-00805-5

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Privacy policy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/privacy-policy