Which information can the NP provide to an employer based on the Privacy Rule?

The correct response is that the NP can provide the number of HIV tests performed each month at the clinic. This type of data is considered aggregate information, which means it does not identify individuals and thus does not violate the Privacy Rule established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The Privacy Rule protects personal health information by allowing only specific disclosures unless authorized by the patient.

When it comes to individual health data, such as hepatitis results, HIV results, or current medications, these are considered protected health information. This means that disclosing such specifics without patient consent would breach confidentiality obligations under the Privacy Rule. Aggregate data, like the number of tests performed, maintains patient privacy because it does not pertain to any one individual, allowing it to be shared without compromising patient confidentiality. Therefore, providing the number of tests conducted at the clinic is permissible under the framework of HIPAA regulations.