The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that defines patients' rights to privacy and controls how their personal healthcare information is used. This healthcare information is commonly referred to as protected healthcare information or PHI. The law specifies who can access patients' protected, identifiable health information and when disclosure of this information is permitted.

HIPAA's privacy rule restricts the way personal health information can be used and disclosed; gives patients greater access to their medical records; and provides greater protection for patients' medical and financial records. It applies to all healthcare providers, including nursing homes, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, rehabilitation agencies, home health agencies, as well as healthcare clearinghouses and health plans.

We are committed to ethical care for each one of our patients and residents. As part of our compliance program, all of our employees undergo annual training regarding HIPAA regulations, especially regarding the privacy rule. In addition, a privacy officer oversees compliance with HIPAA and other federal and state regulations at our hospital.