Summary of article from The HIPAA Journal, by Dr. Randolf F. R. Rasch:
The escalating issue of HIPAA violations by nurses poses significant legal and financial risks for healthcare institutions. Despite mandatory annual training, many nurses are inadequately prepared for compliance due to gaps in both initial and ongoing education. A 2023 survey underscores these deficiencies, revealing that only 24% of healthcare organizations provide annual HIPAA training and fewer than 3% offer this crucial training solely during employee orientation. This lack of comprehensive and continuous education leaves nurses vulnerable to breaches in patient privacy and electronic health information integrity. Addressing these gaps through enhanced training and vigilant surveillance is essential for protecting both patient data and the institutions that employ healthcare professionals.