The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49846

Zalika Shani, MPH, CHES¹, Barbara May, RN, BSN¹, Beth L. Rubin, Esq², Susan M. Hendrickson, Esq², and Judy Donlen, RN, DNSc, JD¹. (1) Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Camden, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, Suite 110, 2500 McClellan Avenue, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, 856-963-1027, zshani@snjpc.org, (2) Dechert, 4000 Bell Atlantic Tower, 1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Anticipated HIPAA privacy regulations posed a serious barrier to the implementation of the Camden City Healthy Start Phase II Project (HS). In Phase I of the project, three service models were developed by the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative’s (SNJPC) Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHBC). Within each of the three service models a system was developed to address existing barriers to care. Subcontracts for new services were initiated with community-based agencies to provide needed services. This phase of the project was very successful, and the four-year community-based planning and evaluation process of Phase I, conducted by HMHBC, resulted in a Phase II plan for specialized case management of high-risk populations.

The funded Phase II Camden HS project required subcontracts with community-based agencies to provide case management to high-risk women and their families. Clients at risk for poor pregnancy outcome would be identified by hospital-based prenatal and primary care providers, through a uniform screening and assessment process. They would then be referred to case management specialists in CBOs for intensive community-based follow up, including home visits. Hospital staff initially responded negatively to the data collection process and information sharing needs of the project because of their interpretation of HIPAA requirements. In response, project staff developed an educational initiative on HIPAA regulations, created templates for provider/business associate agreements and implemented secure data management policies and procedures to assure client privacy that are consistent with the HIPAA regulations.

Presenter will discuss the relevant sections of the HIPAA regulations and the policies/strategies described.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will

• Articulate the intention of HIPAA regulations and the potential impact on community health partnerships.
• Assess current information sharing practices between community-based health care partners for potential revisions relevant to HIPAA regulations. 3.Develop a plan for educating and assisting community-based partnerships regarding privacy issues and solutions.
• Construct data management and information policies that secure the privacy of client data.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Privacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative/Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition is grantee agency for the Healthy Start Program. The agency oversees data management.