What constitutes a breach of HIPAA regulations?

A breach of HIPAA regulations is defined as any unauthorized access to or disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). This includes instances where someone accesses PHI without the proper authorization or shares it with individuals who do not have a right to that information. The fundamental principle of HIPAA is to ensure the confidentiality and security of PHI, so any unauthorized action that compromises this confidentiality is considered a breach.

While failure to store PHI securely, improper training on handling PHI, and delays in providing access to PHI may lead to vulnerabilities or non-compliance, they do not directly represent a breach unless they result in unauthorized access or disclosure. The critical factor in defining a breach under HIPAA is the unauthorized aspect, which highlights the importance of protecting patient information from being accessed or disclosed improperly.