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HHS announces new HIPAA tool for emergency planning The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new Web-based interactive decision tool. The tool is designed to assist emergency preparedness and recovery planners in determining how to access and use health information about persons with disabilities consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule.   The tool will guide emergency preparedness and recovery planners through a series of questions regarding how the HIPAA privacy rule applies to a particular disclosure. By helping users focus on the source of the information disclosed, to whom it is disclosed, and for what purpose, users will better meet the needs of the elderly or persons with disabilities in the event of an evacuation.   While the tool’s initial purpose focuses on emergency planning for persons with disabilities, it is applicable to most emergency planning efforts. The intended audiences include covered entities as well as emergency preparedness and recovery planners at the local, state and federal levels.   The Decision Tool: HIPAA Privacy Rule & Disclosures for Public Health—Emergency Preparedness is accessible at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/decisiontool/.     Friday, July 14, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.