HIPAA and video recordings in the clinical setting.

ABSTRACT: The advent of cellular network technology has increased the use of photography in the clinical setting. This article reviews several areas regarding protected health information (PHI) and the use of video: the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); The Joint Commission requirements for the use of images; areas of concern for exchanging PHI with law enforcement at the bedside, and the need for the development of formal guidelines regarding the use of video in the clinical setting.