Assignment Instructions
Discuss a current news article on ransomware in the health care field. Share an example of how this can impact protected health information (PHI) and the requirements for privacy and confidentiality.
Sample Answer
Ransomware attacks in healthcare have become increasingly common, exposing protected health information (PHI) and challenging HIPAA privacy and confidentiality requirements. Recent incidents at major hospital systems demonstrate that ransomware can halt clinical operations, force downtime procedures, and expose sensitive patient records. Nurses and informatics leaders play a critical role in safeguarding PHI through strong access controls, staff training, timely patching, and incident response readiness.
References
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). HIPAA Security Rule guidance on ransomware. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/guidance/cybersecurity/index.html