Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What must the Security Office do with obsolete devices?

1. Sell the devices to recover costs

2. Record disposal details and ensure data deletion

3. Keep the devices for historical purposes

4. Distribute them to other departments

The correct answer is: Record disposal details and ensure data deletion

The correct course of action for the Security Office regarding obsolete devices involves recording disposal details and ensuring that all data has been thoroughly deleted. This process is essential for maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations, which mandate the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI). When devices become obsolete, there is a risk that they may still contain sensitive information that could be compromised if not handled properly. By documenting the disposal details, the Security Office creates a record that demonstrates adherence to established protocols for data security and privacy. Additionally, ensuring that data is deleted mitigates the risk of unauthorized access to patient information, thus safeguarding individuals' privacy and maintaining the integrity of the healthcare provider's data management practices. Options that suggest selling the devices, keeping them for historical purposes, or distributing them to other departments do not align with the essential need to secure and protect sensitive data, thus posing potential risks to patient confidentiality and violating compliance requirements.