What is considered a breach within the context of HIPAA?

Within the context of HIPAA, a breach is defined as an inappropriate access, use, or disclosure of protected health information (PHI) that compromises its security or privacy. This is important as it pertains to the safeguarding of sensitive patient information.

An unauthorized disclosure of medical records constitutes a breach because it involves sharing PHI without the necessary permissions, leading to potential harm or risk to the individual whose information is disclosed. Similarly, an unauthorized acquisition of PHI involves accessing or acquiring PHI in a manner that does not comply with HIPAA regulations, thereby threatening the confidentiality and integrity of the information.

Both of these scenarios reflect actions that cause a breach of PHI protections under HIPAA, as they violate the established protocols for handling sensitive health information. The choice encompassing both unauthorized disclosure and unauthorized acquisition accurately captures the essence of what constitutes a breach under HIPAA rules.