Agent skill
hipaa-compliance
Ensure HIPAA compliance when handling PHI (Protected Health Information). Use when writing code that accesses user health data, check-ins, journal entries, or any sensitive information. Activates for audit logging, data access, security events, and compliance questions.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/FreedomIntelligence/OpenClaw-Medical-Skills/tree/main/skills/hipaa-compliance
Metadata
Additional technical details for this skill
- tags
-
hipaa compliance security
- category
- Code Quality & Testing
- pairs with
-
[ { "skill": "recovery-app-legal-terms", "reason": "HIPAA requirements directly inform privacy policy and terms of service content for health apps" }, { "skill": "security-auditor", "reason": "HIPAA technical safeguards overlap with security vulnerability scanning and access controls" }, { "skill": "recovery-social-features", "reason": "Social features handling health data must comply with HIPAA privacy and consent rules" }, { "skill": "crisis-response-protocol", "reason": "Crisis responses involving health disclosures must follow HIPAA breach notification rules" } ]
SKILL.md
HIPAA Compliance for Recovery Coach
This skill helps you maintain HIPAA compliance when developing features that handle Protected Health Information (PHI).
What is PHI in This Application?
| Data Type | PHI Status | Handling |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in mood/cravings | PHI | Audit all access |
| Journal entries | PHI | Audit all access |
| Chat conversations | PHI | Audit all access |
| User profile (name, email) | PHI | Audit modifications |
| Sobriety date | PHI | Audit access |
| Emergency contacts | PHI | Audit access |
| Usage analytics (aggregated) | NOT PHI | No audit needed |
| Page views (no content) | NOT PHI | No audit needed |
Audit Logging Requirements
When to Log
Always log these operations:
- Viewing any PHI (check-ins, journal, messages)
- Creating/updating/deleting PHI
- Exporting user data
- Admin access to user information
- Failed authentication attempts
- Security events (rate limiting, unauthorized access)
How to Log
Use the audit logging utilities in src/lib/hipaa/audit.ts:
import {
logPHIAccess,
logPHIModification,
logSecurityEvent,
logAdminAction
} from '@/lib/hipaa/audit';
// Viewing PHI
await logPHIAccess(
userId,
'checkin', // targetType
checkinId, // targetId
AuditAction.PHI_VIEW
);
// Modifying PHI
await logPHIModification(
userId,
'journal',
journalId,
AuditAction.PHI_UPDATE,
{ field: 'content' } // Never include actual content!
);
// Security event
await logSecurityEvent(
userId,
AuditAction.RATE_LIMIT,
{ path: '/api/chat', attempts: 60 }
);
// Admin action
await logAdminAction(
adminId,
AuditAction.ADMIN_USER_VIEW,
'user',
targetUserId
);
Data Sanitization
Never Log These Fields
The audit system automatically sanitizes, but be explicit:
// BAD - Contains PHI
await logPHIAccess(userId, 'journal', id, action, {
content: journalEntry.content // NEVER DO THIS
});
// GOOD - Only metadata
await logPHIAccess(userId, 'journal', id, action, {
wordCount: journalEntry.content.length,
hasAttachments: false
});
Sanitized Fields (Auto-Redacted)
password,token,secret,keyauthorization,cookie,sessioncredential,content,message,notes
Session Security Requirements
From src/lib/auth.ts:
- Session timeout: 15 minutes of inactivity (HIPAA requirement)
- Max session: 8 hours absolute maximum
- Failed login lockout: 5 attempts = 30 minute ban
- Password requirements: 12+ chars, mixed case, numbers, special chars
Code Patterns
API Route with Audit Logging
import { getSession, requireAuth } from '@/lib/auth';
import { logPHIAccess } from '@/lib/hipaa/audit';
export async function GET(request: Request) {
const session = await getSession();
if (!session) {
return Response.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
}
// Fetch the data
const data = await fetchUserData(session.userId);
// Log the access
await logPHIAccess(
session.userId,
'userdata',
session.userId,
AuditAction.PHI_VIEW
);
return Response.json(data);
}
Component with PHI Access
'use client';
import { useEffect } from 'react';
export function JournalViewer({ entryId }: { entryId: string }) {
useEffect(() => {
// Log view on mount (server-side preferred, but client backup)
fetch('/api/audit/log', {
method: 'POST',
body: JSON.stringify({
action: 'PHI_VIEW',
targetType: 'journal',
targetId: entryId
})
});
}, [entryId]);
// ... render
}
Compliance Checklist
Before shipping any feature that touches PHI:
- All PHI access is audit logged
- No PHI content in logs (only IDs and metadata)
- Data access requires authentication
- Admin access has separate audit trail
- Failed access attempts are logged
- Data export includes audit entry
- Sensitive fields are encrypted at rest
- Session timeout is enforced
Audit Log Retention
- Minimum: 6 years (HIPAA requirement)
- Format: Raw logs for 1 year, compressed thereafter
- Location:
audit_logtable in database - Export: Encrypted exports for compliance audits
Emergency Access (Break Glass)
For emergency situations, use break-glass access:
import { requestBreakGlassAccess } from '@/lib/hipaa/break-glass';
// This creates enhanced audit trail
const access = await requestBreakGlassAccess(
adminId,
targetUserId,
'Emergency support required - user reported crisis'
);
Break glass access:
- Requires written justification
- Creates permanent audit record
- Triggers alert to compliance officer
- Must be reviewed within 24 hours
Resources
- HIPAA Security Rule: 45 C.F.R. § 164.312
- Audit controls standard: 45 C.F.R. § 164.312(b)
- Incident response plan:
docs/INCIDENT-RESPONSE-PLAN.md - Security documentation:
docs/SECURITY-HARDENING.md
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