Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Basic Officer Certification Practice Exam

Access to patient information is limited to those who "need to know" by which of the following?

1. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

4. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)

The correct answer is: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The principle that access to patient information is limited to individuals who "need to know" is primarily governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to this data to perform their job duties effectively. It emphasizes the concept of "minimum necessary," which means that healthcare providers, employees, and business associates should only access the information that is essential to fulfill their responsibilities. This aspect of HIPAA is crucial in safeguarding patients' privacy and promoting confidentiality within healthcare settings. The regulation not only outlines who can access patient information but also specifies the circumstances under which it can be shared, ensuring a balance between the need for information in the healthcare process and the protection of individuals' privacy rights. Other organizations like the FBI, OSHA, and CMS have specific roles in law enforcement, workplace safety, and healthcare funding, respectively, but they do not regulate patient information access in the same manner as HIPAA does.