226574 ARRA HIPAA regulations and implications for central cancer registries (CCRs) and other covered entities in the evolving eHealth environment

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Christina Stephan, MD MPH , University of Missouri Informatics Institute, University of Missouri Informatics Institute, Overland Park, KS
     
BACKGROUND: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) ACT of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for significant improvement in the privacy and security standards for health information. This presentation will review these developments and the related implications for CCR systems and public health reporting. Cancer surveillance is a very complex system that captures longitudinal data from multiple and varying data sources using a variety of methods and programs to accomplish health information exchange (HIE). Furthermore, analysis of data held in CCR repositories has made a significant contribution to improving cancer prevention, exposing cancer- related health disparities and informing community interventions. As an essential part of the eHealth infrastructure and public health tool, CCRs must maintain patient and provider confidence that patients' data are private and secure. This presentation describes the impact of new HIPAA regulations and eHealth in achieving improved individual and population health outcomes. PURPOSE: To share information regarding patient privacy provisions included in ARRA legislation related to cancer registry systems. METHODS: We reviewed ARRA patient privacy provisions and supporting documentation as well as recent literature to better understand the evolving eHealth environment, HIPAA requirements and the related implications for CCR systems and health disparity reductions. RESULTS: We have developed key ideas, actions and recommendations to be integrated into operations and strategic planning in planning for current and future registry operations in the context of a state-wide and nation-wide HIE and enhanced patient privacy and data security. DISCUSSION: The improved patient privacy protection prescribed by ARRA and combined with the evolving eHealth environment poses significant challenges and opportunities for CCRs. These factors have an immediate impact on many aspects of CCR operations and bring increased importance for anticipating future requirements and innovations which will evolve with the new eHealth landscape.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Communication and informatics
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Program planning
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1) Define “covered entities.” 2) Describe the major implications of new HIPAA regulations on (cancer) registry systems. 3) Describe how the evolving eHealth environment impacts (cancer) registries. 4) Discuss implications for health disparity reductions. 5) Discuss specific plans and actions of a CCR to evolve with the eHealth environment.

Keywords: Cancer, Health Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a physician with five years of training and experience in public health informatics in addition to clinical training.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5110.2: Health Informatics and Information Technology: Facilitating Data Sharing between Public Health and Clinical Care