A snapshot of Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration

A Program Of The Georgia Department Of Community Health
A SNAPSHOT OF
Health Information Security And Privacy Collaboration

Overview
The Health Information Security & Privacy Collaboration (HISPC) was established in June 2006 with funding support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The original HISPC project, comprised of 34 states and territories, formed a national collaborative effort to address privacy and security policy issues affecting interoperable health information exchange (HIE).
Now in its third phase, which began in April 2008, 42 states and territories are involved in one of seven multi-state, collaborative privacy and security projects.
HISPC Consumer Education & Engagement

Current HISPC
Projects
Adoption of Standard Policies Consent 1 - Data Elements Consent 2 - Policy Options Consumer Education and Engagement Harmonizing Privacy Law Interorganizational Agreements Provider Education

The Georgia Department of Community Health, Office of Health Information Technology and Transparency (HITT) is leading the state's strategic efforts for health information technology (HIT) adoption and HIE. These initiatives will improve service delivery for health care consumers, providers and professionals.

HIT and HIE initiatives are expanding across Georgia. These initiatives work to implement technologies across the health care industry that will advance the transfer of health information ultimately improving patients' health outcomes. The HISPC Consumer Education & Engagement will ensure that patients are aware of the benefits of such initiatives and are educated about the privacy and security efforts that exist to protect their health information.

HISPC Consumer Education & Engagement States

Georgia recognizes the need for consumer support and education to further the adoption of HIT and HIE. As one of eight states, it will create of educational materials that describe the benefits and risks of HIE.
The materials and outreach efforts will educate consumers about privacy and security regarding health information exchange and will address consumer privacy and security concerns. A toolkit of templates for general use by HISPC members, other states and organizations will be created.

Colorado Georgia Kansas Massachusetts New York Oregon Washington West Virginia

State Project Goal: Georgia will work with other states in the Collaborative to develop educational materials that will raise consumer awareness of the value and benefit of HIT, and privacy and security safeguards for storing and transmitting data electronically.

2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 www.dch.georgia.gov

January 2009

A SNAPSHOT OF THE HEALTH INFORMATION SECURITY AND PRIVACY COLLABORATION

Outcomes/Tools: Georgia anticipates that the outcomes/tools of the HISPC project will further raise public awareness of the benefits of electronic health information technology:



A standing Privacy & Security Steering Committee consisting of members of the Georgia Health Information

Technology and Transparency (HITT) Advisory Board that will guide this project and future initiatives related to

health information privacy and security



An educational campaign that will utilize the resources developed by for consumer education and awareness



Creation of a Speakers Bureau of volunteer "HISPC Champions" to speak at privacy and security education

forums planned throughout the state of Georgia



A continually evolving base of Georgia consumers who understand their rights related to the sharing of health

information, and the benefits and challenges of storing and sharing data in an electronic format



A Web site presence on georgiahealthinfo.gov for consumer education about electronic health information

and privacy and security related issues



A progress report that includes an evaluation of the project, lessons learned, and recommendations for

future activities that will advance the adoption and utilization of electronic health information in a private and

secure environment

Other Project Components

Some of the states in the Collaborative will lead other projects whose outcomes should further contribute to widespread awareness of HIE and HIT. These projects include:



Inventory of existing educational/engagement

resources



Glossary of HIT/HIE terms



Risks and benefits of HIE and patient rights under

HIPAA (summary document)



Guidelines on the protection of personal health information (PHI)



FAQs about HIT, HIE, privacy and security



Guidelines for how to engage consumers in HIE



Methods and resources for translation of educational materials

(by languages and literacy levels)



HIE Consent-to-Participate educational materials

Georgia will play a major role in developing the Glossary and the Risks/Benefits Summary.

2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 www.dch.georgia.gov

January 2009