An IS auditor is conducting a review of a healthcare organization's IT policies for handling medical records.
Which of the following is MOST important to verify?
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A. B. C. D.C.
In the given scenario, an IS auditor is reviewing the IT policies of a healthcare organization for handling medical records. The primary objective of this review is to ensure that the organization's policies are adequate, effective, and compliant with the regulatory requirements. Among the given options, the most important aspect to verify would be:
C. The policies comply with regulatory requirements.
Explanation:
Healthcare organizations are subject to various laws, regulations, and standards that mandate the protection, privacy, and security of medical records. Some of the relevant regulations include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (if applicable).
It is critical for healthcare organizations to comply with these regulations to avoid legal and financial penalties and maintain the trust of their patients. As an IS auditor, verifying compliance with regulatory requirements is a crucial part of the audit process.
While the other options may also be important, they are secondary to regulatory compliance. A documented policy approval process (option A) is essential to ensure that policies are reviewed, approved, and communicated effectively. Policy writing standards (option B) can enhance the clarity, consistency, and completeness of policies but do not directly impact compliance. IT personnel receiving ongoing policy training (option D) is necessary for ensuring awareness and understanding of policies but is not as critical as verifying compliance with regulatory requirements.
In conclusion, verifying that the healthcare organization's IT policies comply with regulatory requirements is the most important aspect to ensure that patient medical records are adequately protected and secured.