What might indicate a need for a risk assessment?

A presumed breach of Protected Health Information (PHI) is a strong indicator that a risk assessment is necessary. When there is a potential breach, it is vital to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the incident, the impact on patient privacy, and the effectiveness of existing safeguards. Conducting a risk assessment allows an organization to identify vulnerabilities, understand the extent of the breach, and implement corrective actions to prevent future incidents.

While increased employee productivity, regular training, and reduced healthcare costs may reflect positive organizational changes, they do not inherently require a risk assessment. These factors do not directly relate to the handling or safeguarding of sensitive information, making them less relevant to the need for a thorough evaluation of risks associated with PHI. Therefore, a suspected breach of PHI is the most appropriate trigger for initiating a risk assessment.