Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

How should data integrity be maintained according to HIPAA policies?

1. By only allowing physician access

2. By regularly updating and backing up information

3. By limiting access to only administrative staff

4. By deleting old data immediately

The correct answer is: By regularly updating and backing up information

Maintaining data integrity according to HIPAA policies is crucial because it ensures that health information is accurate, reliable, and protected from unauthorized alterations. Regularly updating and backing up information plays a vital role in safeguarding data integrity. Updating information ensures that the health records reflect the most current and pertinent patient information, which is essential for effective decision-making in patient care. Backing up data provides a safety net, preserving information in the event of data loss due to system failures, cyber-attacks, or natural disasters. This dual approach helps maintain the continuity and reliability of health records, affirming adherence to HIPAA’s requirement for protecting information integrity. Other options do not adequately address the comprehensive needs for maintaining data integrity. For instance, limiting access to only specific staff may restrict necessary data access for those involved in patient care, while immediate deletion of old data can lead to the loss of critical historical information necessary for ongoing treatment and care assessments. These practices would potentially compromise data integrity rather than strengthen it.