- Published: November 14, 2021
- Updated: November 14, 2021
- University / College: University of California, Davis
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 17
Nursing Informatics; HITECH The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) 2009 Act was enacted as a portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARR) Act of 2009 (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). It was signed and confirmed into law on February 17, 2009, to stimulate and promote the adoption, acceptance and meaningful use of health informatics and information technology (HIT). HITECH provides the U. S. Health and Human Services (HHS) department with the authority to institute programs that support or improves health care safety, quality, security and efficiency through the elevation or promotion of HIT. Such HIT includes electronic health records and secure and private exchange of electronic health information (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015).
McGonigle and Mastrian (2015) outlines that, in subtitle D, the HITECH Act addresses and states the security and privacy concerns linked with the electronic transmission or diffusion of health information. In part, the Act has numerous provisions that reinforce the criminal and civil enforcement of the HIPAA rules. These provisions have a great impact on health provision and general healthcare.
As a records nurse practitioner and officer, I am greatly influenced with the HITECH Act. I am involved in numerous exchanges of health care records and information. My work must be discrete and private to ensure security of healthcare information and patients’ health records. Through the Act, I now exercise more caution and care to ensure that the electronic health information and files do not land in wrong hands. In its section, there are penalties for violation of the Act. The regulations and penalties ensure that practitioners, particularly in health records, cautiously carry out their work diligently to ensure and enhance the safety and security of health information and patients’ health records (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015).
Reference
McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. (2015). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge
(3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett (Chapter 10: Legislative Aspects of Nursing Informatics, HITECH, and HIPAA)