The implementation on April 14th, 2003 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) has made a major impact on the health care industry. HIPPA regulations are designed to protect the privacy of patients’ medical information from any unauthorized use or disclosure. All health care workers need to be trained in compliance, especially Health Information Management (HIM) professionals. These professionals are the administrators of the primary department responsible for assembling, maintaining, distributing, and releasing patients’ health information electronically and manually in hospitals.

A strong emphasis on confidentiality and security of patients’ medical records has always been an important aspect of the Health Information Management Program at the C.W. Post Campus. HIPPA regulations have been incorporated into the curriculum to further educate and reinforce the concept of privacy. In addition to classroom education, the HIM students are required to attend a HIPPA Training Seminar prior to starting their practicum at the hospitals. Training consists of a lecture, question and answer session, and an exam. Health Information Administrators are professionals dedicated to ensuring that the information needed for critical health care decisions is available, secure and accurate.

Janis Marullo, BS
Health Information Management Program graduate, 6/03