What is one of the key purposes of the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

One of the key purposes of the HIPAA Privacy Rule is to protect sensitive patient health information. The rule establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information, particularly concerning how such data is managed, shared, and communicated. It aims to ensure that individuals' health information is kept confidential and secure, providing patients with privacy rights regarding their own health data. This includes regulating who may access or disclose health information and under what circumstances. By focusing on the privacy and protection of health information, the HIPAA Privacy Rule plays a critical role in fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers, which is foundational in delivering quality healthcare.