Flores Joe A, Dodier Andrea
Online J Issues Nurs. 2005 May 31;10(2):5.
Congress enacted Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996 to limit the ability of an employer to deny health insurance coverage to employees with preexisting medical conditions. The law also directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop privacy rules, including, but not limited to, the use of electronic medical records. This law has increased patient privacy, but in doing so has added to the financial burden, including personnel costs in health care. Nurses stand at the forefront in the resolution of the dilemma of patient privacy versus health care expediency. The purpose of this article is to assist nurses and other health care professionals to better understand their responsibilities regarding HIPAA regulations. First, responses to HIPAA regulations by covered entities to date, along with responses which are still needed, will be described. It will be noted that HIPAA is a work in progress and not a specific act. Next, future initiatives having HIPAA implications will be presented. In conclusion, the need for all covered entities and their personnel to look broadly at HIPAA as initiating a new way of work in health care will be emphasized.
1996年，美国国会颁布了《健康保险流通与责任法案》（HIPAA），以限制雇主拒绝为已有医疗状况的员工提供医疗保险的能力。该法律还指示美国卫生与公众服务部制定隐私规则，包括但不限于电子病历的使用。这项法律增强了患者隐私，但这样做也增加了经济负担，包括医疗保健方面的人员成本。护士站在解决患者隐私与医疗便利这一两难困境的前沿。本文的目的是帮助护士和其他医疗保健专业人员更好地理解他们在HIPAA法规方面的责任。首先，将描述迄今为止受保实体对HIPAA法规的回应，以及仍需做出的回应。需要注意的是，HIPAA仍在不断完善中，并非一项特定的法案。接下来，将介绍具有HIPAA影响的未来举措。总之，将强调所有受保实体及其人员需要从更广泛的角度看待HIPAA，将其视为开创医疗保健新工作方式的契机。
