HIPAA threatens clinical research

Red tape threatens noncommercial research in Europe.

Family caregiver research and the HIPAA factor.

Research in family caregiving recently has become more challenging because of the strict protection of privacy mandated in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. We ask when should Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) follow HIPAA rules to the letter and when might they use the waiver option? What is the appropriate balance between the goals of protecting the pri...

HIPAA, HIPAA, Hooray?

A review of the current challenges, trends and initiatives around the various regulations as related to Health Informatics in the United States is presented. A summary of the functions in a workflow-based approach organized into the process and compliance for HIPAA, secure email and fax communications interfaces, e-prescriptions and patient safety and the health information technology savings c...

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy rule: implications for clinical research.

In the short time since it became effective for health care organizations, a privacy regulation issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has had a significant adverse impact on the conduct of clinical research in the United States, without a substantial corresponding increase in privacy protection for research participants. Some of the problems associ...

Avoiding HIPAA hype: preparing for HIPAA affordably.

In the scramble to prepare their organizations for HIPAA compliance, healthcare financial managers may believe they must commit significant funds to overhauling information systems and hiring consulting firms. But security and confidentiality policies required by HIPAA cannot be implemented solely by upgrading computer systems. HIPAA compliance requires a wholesale change in staff attitudes and...