A snapshot of Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration: a program of the Georgia Department of Community Health [Jan. 2010]

A Program Of The Georgia Department Of Community Health
A SNAPSHOT OF THE
Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration
Overview The Health Information Security and 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). By April 2008, the HISPC had grown to 42 states and territories that were involved in one of seven multi-state, collaborative privacy and security projects.
HISPC Consumer Education & Engagement
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 are designed to improve service delivery for health care consumers, providers and professionals.
HIT and HIE initiatives are expanding across Georgia. These efforts work to implement technologies across the health care industry that will advance the transfer of health information ultimately improving patients' health outcomes.
Georgia recognizes the need for consumer support and education to further the adoption of HIT and HIE. The HISPC Consumer Education and Engagement increased consumers' awareness of the benefits of such initiatives and educated them about the privacy and security safeguards that exist to protect their health information. Educational materials were created for consumers about privacy and security regarding health information exchange and outreach efforts addressed consumer privacy and security concerns. These materials are available for general use by HISPC members, other states and organizations.
State Project Goal Georgia worked with other states in the Collaborative to develop educational materials that are designed to raise consumer awareness of the value and benefits of HIT and the privacy and security safeguards for storing and transmitting data electronically.
Toolkit Georgia anticipates that the toolkit created for the HISPC project will raise public awareness of the benefits of electronic health information technology. These tools include "how to": Engage a standing Privacy and Security Steering Committee consisting of members of the Georgia
Health Information Technology and Transparency (HITT) Advisory Board to guide initiatives related to health information privacy and security Create an educational campaign that utilizes resources developed for consumer and provider education and awareness Establish a Speakers Bureau of volunteer "HISPC Champions" who speak at privacy and security education forums throughout Georgia
2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 w www.dch.georgia.gov
January 2010

A Snapshot of Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration
Toolkit, continued Develop 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
Create a presence for consumer education about electronic health information and privacy and security related issues on relevant web sites similar to both georgiahealthinfo.gov and dch.georgia.gov
Compile 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 led other projects whose outcomes 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) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HIT, HIE and 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