Which action is acceptable according to HIPAA regulations when handling PHI?

Encrypting PHI before email transmission is an accepted practice under HIPAA regulations because it ensures the confidentiality and security of protected health information (PHI) during electronic communication. HIPAA mandates that covered entities employ safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access and disclosure. Encryption serves as a technical safeguard that converts PHI into a format that is unreadable to those who do not have the proper keys or access rights. This measure significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and maintains compliance with HIPAA's requirements for protecting sensitive health information.

In contrast, sharing PHI on social media, using a personal computer for sending PHI, and ignoring PHI policies, even in urgency, violate HIPAA regulations and can expose both individuals and organizations to significant risks of unauthorized disclosures, legal penalties, and damage to reputation. Therefore, encryption represents a proactive and compliant strategy in managing PHI securely.