Patient Confidentiality And Hippa

Answering machines are not private and confidential; friends and family may be within hearing distance and/or pick –up the messages.

Leaving paperwork with Protected Health Information (PHI) in view for anyone to see is a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act ensures the privacy and security of individuals' health information. Such a violation can result in criminal penalties, civil liability, and administrative fines. Criminal penalties may include fines and imprisonment. Civil liability may lead to lawsuits and financial compensation for the affected individuals. Administrative fines can be imposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for non-compliance with HIPAA regulations. Therefore, all of the options mentioned (criminal penalties, civil liability, and administrative fines) are possible outcomes for this violation.

All owners, privacy officers, office employees and caregivers need to be concerned with the security and privacy of all PHI.

If you suspect someone is violating the Comfort Keepers privacy policy, the best course of action is to report your suspicions to the Comfort Keepers Privacy Officer. This is the appropriate person within the organization who is responsible for handling privacy-related matters. They have the knowledge and authority to investigate the situation and take appropriate action to address any violations. Talking to the individual directly may not be effective or appropriate, discussing it with a co-worker who is a friend may not be objective or confidential, and calling the Department of Health and Human Services may not be necessary unless there is a serious breach of privacy.

According to HIPAA, it is appropriate to share information about the care of a client with other caregivers involved with the care if it is relevant and appropriate, and privacy and confidentiality are maintained.

If you have questions, concerns or hear complaints regarding HIPAA or any other Comfort Keepers policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, you should talk to the Comfort Keepers Privacy Officer. This is because the Privacy Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with privacy laws and regulations, including HIPAA. They are knowledgeable about privacy policies and procedures and can address any concerns or complaints related to privacy issues. Talking to a co-worker, client, or staff person may not provide the necessary expertise or authority to address these specific concerns.

The correct answer is "Protected Health Information." PHI is an acronym that stands for Protected Health Information, which refers to any personal health information that is protected by law and should be kept confidential. This includes information such as medical records, health insurance information, and any other individually identifiable health information.

Please be aware of any applicable Federal and State laws as they apply to your location.

The correct answer is the fourth option: "Individually identifiable health information such as name, address, phone number, age emergency contact, diagnosis, treatment plan, and reports, SSN, Insurance group and number." This answer includes all the specific information that is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and should be kept confidential. It covers personal details, medical history, and contact information that could potentially identify an individual.

Information such as this may be relayed verbally and an explanation is not necessary.