Security Safeguards
Unique User Identification
Assigning every user a distinct ID so activity on ePHI can be traced to an individual.
Unique User Identification is a required HIPAA Security Rule access-control element mandating that each user be assigned a distinct name or number for identifying and tracking their activity.
Unique IDs make individual accountability possible: without shared accounts, audit logs can attribute every action on ePHI to a specific person. This is foundational to both access control and meaningful audit trails.