What concept requires that the minimum amount of PHI necessary is used to achieve a purpose?

The concept of "minimum necessary" is essential in the context of handling protected health information (PHI). This principle is rooted in regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which aims to protect the privacy and confidentiality of patients' health data. According to this guideline, when disclosing PHI or accessing it for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, healthcare providers and organizations must limit the disclosure to only the amount of information that is necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.

This requirement not only safeguards patient privacy but also minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information. By adhering to the "minimum necessary" standard, healthcare entities can ensure that they maintain compliance with legal requirements and protect patient confidentiality effectively.

In contrast, other options like subpoena access, PHI integrity, and patient autonomy refer to different aspects of healthcare information management and do not directly address the standard of using only the essential PHI needed for a specific purpose. Subpoena access pertains to legal requests for information, PHI integrity focuses on the accuracy and reliability of health information, and patient autonomy emphasizes the rights of patients to make decisions about their healthcare. Each of these concepts plays a significant role in healthcare, but the "minimum necessary" standard specifically relates