The rules dramatically change the way hospitals, doctors, health plans and pharmacies must handle personal health information. They also impose criminal and civil penalties for breaching patient privacy.

• 这些条例将极大地改变现有医院,医生,护理实施,药业对个人健康信息的处理方式。条例同时规定,如泄露病人隐私将受到民事和刑事处罚。