Healthcare providers often use the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) to evaluate patient outcomes. However, collecting and storing HAQ data requires HIPAA compliant processes to safeguard protected health information (PHI).
What Is the HAQ?
Developed in 1978 by Dr. James F. Fries and colleagues at Stanford University, the HAQ was “one of the first self-report functional status (disability) measures and has become the dominant instrument in many disease areas, including arthritis,” explains the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
It is a comprehensive outcome measurement tool that evaluates patient health metrics, particularly in rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and lupus.
It assesses outcomes in four primary domains:
- Disability: Evaluating patients’ ability to perform daily tasks like dressing, eating, and walking.
- Discomfort and pain: Measuring the presence and severity of pain.
- Drug toxicity: Tracking medication side effects and their impact.
- Economic costs: These include direct medical costs and indirect costs like lost productivity.
Should HAQs be HIPAA compliant?
When collecting data through the HAQ, healthcare providers must securely share and store patients’ PHI. Using a HIPAA compliant form, like Paubox Forms, protects PHI and upholds federal regulations, reducing the risk of data breaches and associated non-compliance penalties.
Steps to make HAQ forms HIPAA compliant
Choose a secure platform
Providers must use a HIPAA compliant platform that offers advanced security features like encryption, secure storage, and two-factor authentication to protect patient data during transit and at rest.
Implement role-based access controls
Healthcare organizations can use role-based access controls so that only those directly involved in a patient's care can access HAQ data.
For example, a rheumatologist would have full access to a patient’s HAQ results, while administrative staff could only access de-identified data for billing purposes.
Obtain informed patient consent
Before administering the HAQ, healthcare providers must inform patients how their data will be used, stored, and shared, complying with HIPAA Rules.
Integrate with electronic health records (EHR)
HIPAA compliant HAQ forms can also be integrated into an EHR system, so clinicians to track changes in a patient’s disability index over time, supporting long-term care planning.
Additional benefits of using HIPAA compliant HAQ forms
Improved care coordination
With secure sharing protocols, HAQ results can be easily shared among rheumatologists, physical therapists, and primary care providers, enhancing collaboration and a more holistic treatment plan.
Facilitating long-term monitoring
HIPAA compliant HAQ forms allow providers to securely track changes in disability and pain scores over time, supporting evidence-based decision-making and timely treatment adjustments.
Supporting research and population health
In clinical trials or large-scale studies, HIPAA compliant forms protect participants’ data while allowing researchers to analyze trends, contributing to advancements in medical science without compromising patient privacy.
Telehealth assessments
HIPAA compliant platforms, like Paubox, allow providers to administer HAQ forms digitally for patients unable to attend in-person appointments. For example, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis could complete the HAQ Disability Index and Pain Scale from home before discussing the results with their provider in a virtual session.
Economic impact analysis
The HAQ also includes sections on dollar costs, like direct costs for treatments, and indirect costs like lost workdays. HIPAA compliant forms secure this financial data while giving patients and providers the information they need.
Related: Streamlining healthcare KPI management with HIPAA compliant forms
FAQs
How do HIPAA compliant forms protect patient privacy?
HIPAA compliant forms, like Paubox forms, use encryption to protect patient’s protected health information (PHI) and identifiable information like names, addresses, and financial information.
Read also: What is personally identifiable information (PII)?
Can HIPAA compliant forms be customized?
Yes, HIPAA compliant forms can be customized for more effective data collection and analysis. Paubox forms can be customized with various question options like text fields, dropdowns, multiple choice, file uploads, and signatures.
Can HIPAA compliant forms be used to collect non-health-related information?
Yes, HIPAA compliant forms can be adapted for various purposes, like gathering contact information or demographic data.
