How well do you know about Patient Confidentiality?

1. You must call your patient at Fox Run Cancer Center to reschedule an appointment. When you call a man you don't know answers the phone. What do you do?

Leave the information with the man on the phone.

Explain you have confidential information from the cancer center.

Ask who it is and then leave information with him.

Do not leave any information, but call back later and speak with the patient.

It is important to prioritize patient confidentiality in medical settings. Since the man who answered the phone is unknown, it is not appropriate to leave any confidential information with him. Instead, it is best to call back later and directly speak with the patient to ensure that the information is conveyed securely.

Explanation

It is important to prioritize patient confidentiality in medical settings. Since the man who answered the phone is unknown, it is not appropriate to leave any confidential information with him. Instead, it is best to call back later and directly speak with the patient to ensure that the information is conveyed securely.

2. Your patient who is very ill and sleeping in the hospital had communicated she wished her medical information to be shared with her husband. One day her brother shows up and says he is there on his brother's behalf to bring back news to the husband. What do you do?

Accurately interpret the health news to be delivered by the brother to the husband.

Tell the brother you are only authorized to give the husband the information.

Write the information down so the brother can bring it to the husband.

Refuse to speak to the brother, as you are forbidden to even greet him.

Tell the brother he must get the information from the doctor.

The correct answer is to tell the brother that you are only authorized to give the husband the information. This is the appropriate response because the patient had specifically communicated her wish for her medical information to be shared with her husband. Therefore, it is important to respect her wishes and only provide the information to the authorized person, which in this case is her husband.

Explanation

The correct answer is to tell the brother that you are only authorized to give the husband the information. This is the appropriate response because the patient had specifically communicated her wish for her medical information to be shared with her husband. Therefore, it is important to respect her wishes and only provide the information to the authorized person, which in this case is her husband.

3. Your patient is in surgery. You are in the waiting room along with the patient's family members. After the doctor updates you on her condition, the family asks you what the doctor said. What do you tell the family?

Explain you must keep information confidential until you check with the patient.

Tell them that the doctor said everything will be all right.

Interpret what the doctor said but ask them to keep it confidential because of the confidentiality principle.

Interpret exactly what the doctor said with the same meaning and spirit.

In a situation where a patient's family asks for an update on the doctor's diagnosis, it is important to prioritize the patient's confidentiality. Therefore, the correct answer is to explain to the family that you must keep the information confidential until you have checked with the patient. This ensures that the patient's privacy and right to control the dissemination of their medical information are respected.

Explanation

In a situation where a patient's family asks for an update on the doctor's diagnosis, it is important to prioritize the patient's confidentiality. Therefore, the correct answer is to explain to the family that you must keep the information confidential until you have checked with the patient. This ensures that the patient's privacy and right to control the dissemination of their medical information are respected.

4. An act by a health care professional during the delivery of care, services, or treatment can result in which of the following?

Professional discipline

Criminal prosecution

Civil suit

All of the above

An act by a healthcare professional during the delivery of care, services, or treatment can result in professional discipline, criminal prosecution, and civil suit. This means that if a healthcare professional engages in misconduct or negligence, they may face disciplinary action by their professional licensing board, criminal charges for their actions, and civil lawsuits from the affected individuals seeking compensation for any harm caused. All of these consequences can arise depending on the severity and nature of the act committed by the healthcare professional.

Explanation

An act by a healthcare professional during the delivery of care, services, or treatment can result in professional discipline, criminal prosecution, and civil suit. This means that if a healthcare professional engages in misconduct or negligence, they may face disciplinary action by their professional licensing board, criminal charges for their actions, and civil lawsuits from the affected individuals seeking compensation for any harm caused. All of these consequences can arise depending on the severity and nature of the act committed by the healthcare professional.

5. It is possible for a health care provider to provide care, treatment, and services and not create a professional relationship with a patient.

True

False

A health care provider cannot provide care, treatment, and services without creating a professional relationship with a patient. This relationship is established when a patient seeks medical assistance from a health care provider and the provider agrees to provide the necessary care. It involves the provider's duty to act in the best interest of the patient and maintain confidentiality. Without a professional relationship, the provider would not have the necessary legal and ethical obligations towards the patient. Therefore, the statement is false.

Explanation

A health care provider cannot provide care, treatment, and services without creating a professional relationship with a patient. This relationship is established when a patient seeks medical assistance from a health care provider and the provider agrees to provide the necessary care. It involves the provider's duty to act in the best interest of the patient and maintain confidentiality. Without a professional relationship, the provider would not have the necessary legal and ethical obligations towards the patient. Therefore, the statement is false.

6. The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

Applies only to disclosures by insurance companies

Applies only to disclosures to insurance companies

Applies only to disclosures between insurance companies.

None of the above

The correct answer is "None of the above". The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) applies to a wide range of entities and individuals involved in the healthcare industry, not just insurance companies. It sets standards for the privacy and security of protected health information and applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates. The law aims to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of patient information and provide individuals with certain rights regarding their health information.

Explanation

The correct answer is "None of the above". The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) applies to a wide range of entities and individuals involved in the healthcare industry, not just insurance companies. It sets standards for the privacy and security of protected health information and applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates. The law aims to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of patient information and provide individuals with certain rights regarding their health information.

7. A medical practice patient is routinely late paying for services, is rude to the office staff, and is late to scheduled appointments. Because no payment for services has been made in nearly a year, the office manager sends a registered letter to the patient stating that the medical practice will be no longer responsible for the patient's care. The day after the letter is received, the patient suffers a heart attack and the hospital notifies the medical practice. No member of the practice will attend the patient because the practice takes the position it is no longer responsible for the patient's care. The action of the medical practice would likely be considered

An ethical violation and legal abandonment

Appropriate

An ethical violation

Legal abandonment

The action of the medical practice would likely be considered an ethical violation and legal abandonment because even though the patient had been consistently late in paying for services and had exhibited rude behavior, it is unethical for the medical practice to refuse care to a patient in need, especially in an emergency situation such as a heart attack. By sending a registered letter stating that they are no longer responsible for the patient's care, the medical practice is abandoning their duty to provide medical assistance, which is a breach of ethical and legal obligations.

Explanation

The action of the medical practice would likely be considered an ethical violation and legal abandonment because even though the patient had been consistently late in paying for services and had exhibited rude behavior, it is unethical for the medical practice to refuse care to a patient in need, especially in an emergency situation such as a heart attack. By sending a registered letter stating that they are no longer responsible for the patient's care, the medical practice is abandoning their duty to provide medical assistance, which is a breach of ethical and legal obligations.

8. The theory that one health care professional can be held legally liable for the acts of another health care professional is based on the law of

Strict liability

Res ipsa loquitur

Respondeat superior

Sua sponte

Respondeat superior is a legal principle that holds an employer or principal responsible for the actions of their employees or agents, as long as the employee or agent was acting within the scope of their employment or agency. In the context of healthcare, this means that if one healthcare professional, such as a nurse or doctor, commits a negligent act while providing care, the employer or hospital can be held legally liable for their actions. This principle ensures that patients have recourse and can seek compensation for any harm caused by the healthcare professional.

Explanation

Respondeat superior is a legal principle that holds an employer or principal responsible for the actions of their employees or agents, as long as the employee or agent was acting within the scope of their employment or agency. In the context of healthcare, this means that if one healthcare professional, such as a nurse or doctor, commits a negligent act while providing care, the employer or hospital can be held legally liable for their actions. This principle ensures that patients have recourse and can seek compensation for any harm caused by the healthcare professional.

9. Before a patient/provider session, a patient confides that he never took the cholesterol medication the doctor prescribed. Later, when the doctor asks him he likes the medication, the patient says that it's fine. What do you say or do?

Tell the doctor right there in the session that the patient never took the medication.

Tell the patient you cannot interpret for someone who lies.

Accurately and objectively interpret only what is said during the patient/doctor session.

The correct answer is to accurately and objectively interpret only what is said during the patient/doctor session. As an interpreter, it is not your role to disclose information that the patient shared with you in confidence before the session. Your responsibility is to accurately convey the messages between the patient and the doctor without adding or omitting any information. It is important to maintain confidentiality and neutrality in your role as an interpreter.

Explanation

The correct answer is to accurately and objectively interpret only what is said during the patient/doctor session. As an interpreter, it is not your role to disclose information that the patient shared with you in confidence before the session. Your responsibility is to accurately convey the messages between the patient and the doctor without adding or omitting any information. It is important to maintain confidentiality and neutrality in your role as an interpreter.

10. The insurance company that insures a health care provider who uses his or her professional position to sexually molest a patient

May avoid providing coverage under a malpractice policy

Must provide coverage under a malpractice policy

Is relieved of providing coverage under a malpractice policy only if the conduct is found to be unethical.

None of the above

The correct answer is "may avoid providing coverage under a malpractice policy." In cases where a health care provider uses their professional position to sexually molest a patient, the insurance company has the option to avoid providing coverage under a malpractice policy. This means that they may choose not to provide financial protection or compensation for any claims or damages related to the misconduct. It is important to note that this is not a mandatory requirement, but rather a possibility for the insurance company.

Explanation

The correct answer is "may avoid providing coverage under a malpractice policy." In cases where a health care provider uses their professional position to sexually molest a patient, the insurance company has the option to avoid providing coverage under a malpractice policy. This means that they may choose not to provide financial protection or compensation for any claims or damages related to the misconduct. It is important to note that this is not a mandatory requirement, but rather a possibility for the insurance company.

11. A health care provider generally is not liable for the act of a subordinate health care professional if the act is

An intentional tort

Negligent

Subject to a medical malpractice statutue

All of the above

A health care provider is generally not liable for the act of a subordinate health care professional if the act is an intentional tort. This means that if a subordinate intentionally causes harm to a patient, the health care provider may not be held responsible for their actions. This is because intentional torts are deliberate acts that are outside the scope of the provider's control. However, if the act is negligent or subject to a medical malpractice statute, the health care provider can be held liable.

Explanation

A health care provider is generally not liable for the act of a subordinate health care professional if the act is an intentional tort. This means that if a subordinate intentionally causes harm to a patient, the health care provider may not be held responsible for their actions. This is because intentional torts are deliberate acts that are outside the scope of the provider's control. However, if the act is negligent or subject to a medical malpractice statute, the health care provider can be held liable.

How Well Do You Know About Patient Confidentiality?