HIPPA and Performance Standards and Measures

“HIPPA and Performance Standards and Measures”

Analyze the importance of the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and appraise the overall impact of HIPAA on patients’ medical records. Suggest key ways in which health care administrations may improve data and information quality, and decrease data and information errors. Provide at least one (1) example to support your response.   

Differentiate the variations between licensures, certification, measures and accreditation, why it is significant to health care in the United States, and what the role of the Joint Commission is.

HIPPA was enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2003 to ensure all consumer Protected Health Information (PHI) stays private and accessible to only those who need it. HIPPA ensures that providers are taking the necessary steps to keep consumers PHI and health records safe by imposing penalties.

Licensures: A process by which a governmental agency grants time-limited permission to an individual to engage in a given occupation after verifying that he or she has met predetermined and standardized criteria.

Certification: A voluntary process by which a nongovernmental agency grants a time-limited recognition to an individual after verifying that he or she has met predetermined and standardized criteria. 

Accreditation: A voluntary process by which a nongovernmental entity grants a time-limited recognition or credentials to an organization after verifying that predetermined and standardized criteria are met. 

The Joint Commission standards function as the foundation for healthcare organizations to gauge and enhance their performance. These standards focus on quality care and patient safety. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.