HIPAA and Laptops

The objective of this study is to answer the questions of what ethical issues exist when health information privacy is not protected and what some of the reason were for enacting HIPAA in addition to protecting privacy. This study will additionally address whether under the laws of HIPAA the nurse whose laptop with patient information and which was stolen is at fault and whether her employer is at fault.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stolen laptops lead to important HIPAA settlements and specifically stated is that "two entities have paid the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) $1,975,220 collectively to resolve potential violations of the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules." (p. 1)

It is reported that entities and business associates covered under these HIPAA rules "must understand that mobile...
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