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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
APA format
175 – 265 words
Cite at least one (1) peer-reviewed reference
Further the conversation by responding to the following:
Dr. Doria Chege
Hi Sharifa and Class,
I enjoyed your response, and it is very important that we ensure that our systems are secure.
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) was developed to promote and expand the use of electronic health records (EHRs) by all healthcare providers. The goal was simple, to increase the number of providers in transitioning away from paper medical records to electronic means and further support the existing HIPAA requirements to maintain patient confidentiality while enforcing increased penalties for non-compliance.
The Act provided financial incentives for healthcare organizations through a program called Meaningful Use. In order to qualify for funding, healthcare providers had to show an increase in quality patient care and coordination, utilize electronic prescriptions and improve patient involvement in their own healthcare. As the financial incentives increased each year so did compliance by providers. The impact of the HITECH Act was instrumental in bridging the gap of information between providers and healthcare organizations which in my opinion was the catalyst for improving quality patient care and continuity.
HITECH has been impactful, it adds notification requirements for healthcare-related information security breaches; implements new data security standards for electronic health records; and expands security and privacy provisions beyond HIPAA. The HITECH Act extends the HIPAA security and privacy rules to non-HIPAA-covered entities, holding them to the same privacy and security standards as covered entities.
Reference:
Campus Safety (2010). How the HITECH Act May Affect Your Healthcare Facility.
Retrieved from http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/How-the-HITECH-Act-May-Affect-Your-Healthcare-Facility
HIPPA Journal. (2014-2021). What is the HITECH Act. https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-the-hitech-act/
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT(EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) was implemented to enhance the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in the healthcare industry. The HITECH Act was established to encourage healthcare providers to transition from paper-based medical records to electronic methods, and support the existing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements to ensure patient confidentiality. This act also introduced new data security standards and expanded privacy provisions beyond HIPAA.
Financial incentives were offered to healthcare organizations through a program called “Meaningful Use.” In order to qualify for funding, healthcare providers had to demonstrate an increase in quality patient care and coordination, use electronic prescriptions, and involve patients in their own healthcare. As the financial incentives increased each year, so did the compliance by providers. The impact of the HITECH Act has been significant in bridging the information gap between providers and healthcare organizations, which in turn has resulted in better quality patient care and continuity.
The HITECH Act has also added notification requirements for healthcare-related information security breaches, extending HIPAA security and privacy rules to non-HIPAA-covered entities, and holding them to the same privacy and security standards as covered entities. This has significantly improved the security and privacy of patient information, making healthcare providers more accountable for maintaining data security.
In conclusion, the HITECH Act has been a catalyst for the transformation of healthcare in the United States. Its implementation has led to an increase in the use of EHRs, improved patient care and coordination, and enhanced security and privacy provisions. Healthcare organizations need to continue complying with the HITECH Act and HIPAA requirements to maintain the confidentiality, security, and privacy of patient information.
Reference: Campus Safety (2010). How the HITECH Act May Affect Your Healthcare Facility. Retrieved from http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/How-the-HITECH-Act-May-Affect-Your-Healthcare-Facility HIPPA Journal. (2014-2021).
Too Tired? Too Anxious? Need More Time? We’ve got your back.