What does the term "accounting of disclosures" refer to?

The term "accounting of disclosures" specifically pertains to the requirement under HIPAA for covered entities to maintain a record of disclosures of protected health information (PHI) that are made outside of routine operations. This includes tracking instances where PHI is shared with entities or individuals who are not part of the patient's treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

This process is crucial for ensuring that patients are aware of how their information is being used and shared, thereby safeguarding their privacy rights. Patients have the right to request an accounting of these disclosures, which allows them to understand and monitor how their health information is being managed. By maintaining detailed documentation, healthcare providers can support transparency and accountability in handling PHI, aligning with HIPAA's core principles aimed at protecting patient privacy.