In a keynote address to the Nationwide Health Information Network Forum, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced key privacy principles and a toolkit to guide efforts to harness the potential of new technology and more effective data analysis, while protecting patient information.
Leavitt stressed the importance of “finding the balance between increased access to information and privacy,” and stated that “consumers need an easy-to-read, standard notice about how their personal health information is protected, confidence that those who misuse information will be held accountable, and the ability to choose the degree to which they want to participate in information sharing.”
The privacy principles stress the importance of Individual Access, Correction, Openness and Transparency, Individual Choice, Collection, Use, and Disclosure Limitation, Data Integrity, Safeguards and Accountability.
For more information, please visit www.hhs.gov/healthit/privacy/.
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