Regulatory Challenges in Healthcare IT: Ensuring Compliance with HIPAA and GDPR

Abstract

This paper examines the regulatory challenges faced by healthcare organizations in ensuring compliance with HIPAA and GDPR in the context of HIT implementation. HIPAA establishes standards for the protection of sensitive patient information, mandating measures such as encryption, access controls, and audit trails to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI). GDPR, on the other hand, applies to the processing of personal data of individuals within the European Union (EU), requiring organizations to obtain explicit consent for data processing, implement data protection measures, and report data breaches promptly. The intersection of HIPAA and GDPR presents unique challenges for healthcare organizations, particularly those operating globally or providing telemedicine services across borders. Ensuring compliance requires a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory requirements, robust data governance frameworks, and effective security measures to protect patient data from unauthorized access and breaches.