What act protects patient records known as electronically protected health information (ePHI)?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the legislation that specifically protects patient records known as electronically protected health information (ePHI). HIPAA was enacted to ensure the confidentiality and security of individuals' health information, addressing the need for privacy in the healthcare sector. It establishes standards for the protection of sensitive patient data, requiring healthcare providers, health plans, and their business associates to implement safeguards that ensure the security and integrity of ePHI.

The law emphasizes both the protection of patient rights concerning their health information and the responsibilities of entities handling such data. It mandates that entities must not only protect ePHI from unauthorized access but also provide patients with rights over their own health information, including access, amendment, and accounting of disclosures.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned do not pertain specifically to healthcare information. For instance, FERPA focuses on the privacy of student education records, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act targets financial accountability and corporate governance, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act deals with copyright infringement in the digital environment. Therefore, HIPAA is the appropriate regulation for the protection of ePHI.