What is the purpose of the "same last name" audit?

The purpose of the "same last name" audit is to monitor access to records of patients who share the same last name. This is significant in the realm of HIPAA compliance, as it helps to ensure patient privacy and safeguard sensitive health information. By conducting such audits, healthcare organizations can identify potential unauthorized access or breaches, ensuring that only the appropriate personnel are accessing patient records. This practice is especially critical in preventing instances of data mishandling or intentional misconduct, which may arise due to confusion or erroneous assumptions about identity when multiple patients have similar or identical last names.

The focus on this audit reflects the broader goal of maintaining patient confidentiality and protecting health information under the standards set by HIPAA, which mandates that healthcare entities take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to personal health information.