Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What is a responsibility of the HIPAA Privacy Officer?

1. Implementing safety drills

2. Tracking who has access to PHI

3. Conducting employee evaluations

4. Managing external communications

The correct answer is: Tracking who has access to PHI

The role of the HIPAA Privacy Officer is crucial in safeguarding protected health information (PHI) within an organization. Tracking who has access to PHI is a key responsibility because it ensures compliance with HIPAA regulations pertaining to the confidentiality and security of patient data. This includes maintaining logs or records of access to ensure that only authorized personnel are viewing or using sensitive information. By effectively monitoring access, the Privacy Officer can identify potential breaches or misuse of PHI and take appropriate action to mitigate risks. This responsibility is essential in creating an environment that protects patient privacy and upholds trust in the healthcare system. Ensuring that users are appropriately monitored can also help in meeting the legal requirements set forth by HIPAA, which mandates that practices have safeguards in place to protect PHI.