What term describes unauthorized access to a patient's protected health information?

The term "breaches" specifically refers to unauthorized access to protected health information (PHI). In the context of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), a breach occurs when there is improper disclosure of PHI that compromises the privacy and security of that information. Breaches are significant violations and can have serious legal ramifications for covered entities and their business associates.

Understanding breaches is essential because they involve a failure to protect patient data as required by HIPAA regulations. This could occur through various means, such as hacking, insider threats, or physical theft of devices containing PHI. Identifying breaches is critical for healthcare organizations as they must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent such occurrences and respond adequately if a breach does happen.

In contrast, although terms like "disclosure" and "misuse" may relate to situations involving patient information, they do not necessarily capture the full scope of unauthorized access that breaches entail. "Accidental access" suggests an unintentional event, which does not align with the broader implications of a breach that encompasses intentional or negligent unauthorized access.