What constitutes a breach under HIPAA?

A breach under HIPAA is defined as an impermissible use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI) that compromises the privacy or security of that information. This definition captures a wide range of potential incidents where PHI may be accessed or shared inappropriately, whether intentionally or accidentally. The key aspect of a breach is that it must be an unauthorized action that results in the risk of harm to the patient’s privacy or the integrity of their data.

This choice aligns perfectly with HIPAA's intent to protect individuals' health information from unauthorized access and ensure that any such incidents are taken seriously. By focusing on the compromise of privacy or security, this definition emphasizes the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive health data, which is the cornerstone of HIPAA regulations.

Other options describe scenarios that may not necessarily meet the threshold for a breach. For example, unauthorized access that does not affect security does not compromise privacy or security, while minor mistakes or internal errors without external impact do not typically result in the risk to patient privacy as required to constitute a breach. Thus, the selected answer captures the essence of a breach according to HIPAA regulations.