What type of information is the consultant auditing in a compliance audit for a hospital?

In a compliance audit for a hospital, the focus is primarily on Protected Health Information (PHI). PHI encompasses any information that can identify a patient and relates to their health condition, healthcare services, or payment for healthcare services. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets strict regulations surrounding the use and protection of PHI, making it essential for hospitals to ensure compliance.

Auditors examine how PHI is collected, stored, processed, and shared, as well as the safeguards in place to protect that information from unauthorized access and breaches. The priority on PHI during compliance audits stems from the need to protect patient confidentiality and the legal requirements that healthcare organizations must adhere to under HIPAA regulations. This focus is critical in maintaining trust with patients and ensuring legal compliance in handling sensitive health information.

While other options like Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Personal Identifiable Financial Information (PIFI) are important in other contexts, they do not have the same level of specificity or regulatory requirements as PHI does in a healthcare setting. Intellectual Property (IP) is also less relevant in the context of a compliance audit for a hospital.