In light of the devastation that Hurricane Katrina has caused to parts of the country, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a bulletin to emphasize how the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows covered entities to share patient information to assist in disaster relief efforts, and to assist patients in receiving the care they need.  The bulletin is attached.  It may also be accessed from the What’s New in Privacy column on the OCR website, http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/, by clicking on “Hurricane Katrina Bulletin:  Disclosing PHI in Emergency Situations.”

Regards,

Barbara McGowin

Executive Recruiter/Resource Consultant

(843) 824-8537

Barbara@...

Connecting Health Care Organizations with People,

Products and Services to Achieve HIPAA Compliance.