HIPAA and disaster research: preparing to conduct research.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted in 1996 and implemented in 2003, continues to have a profound impact on the ability to carry out research. Many disaster research methodologies are not affected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule and are likely to be appropriate for waivers because of the nature of disaster research. Still other types of studies may require special considerations that researchers must be aware of when planning research methodologies.