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Difficulty: Very hardConfidentiality and Information Security

A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing information security practices on a busy medical-surgical unit. Which of the following actions by the nursing staff demonstrate appropriate adherence to client confidentiality protocols and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? Select all that apply.

  1. Faxing a client's transfer documents to an extended care facility and immediately calling the receiving nurse to verify receipt.Answer
  2. Confirming a client's room number to a visitor who asks for the client by name, given the client has not opted out of the facility directory.Answer
  3. C
    Accessing the electronic health record (EHR) of a client on another unit to review a rare surgical outcome for personal continuing education.
  4. Providing a clinical update over the telephone to a caller who accurately provides the client's facility-assigned privacy passcode.Answer
  5. E
    Leaving a detailed voicemail regarding a client's abnormal laboratory results on their home answering machine to ensure timely notification.
  6. F
    Placing a bright red infection control alert sticker on the outside cover of a client's paper chart to warn transport staff.

Answer

The correct practices are faxing documents and calling to verify receipt, confirming directory information for callers asking by name, and using a privacy passcode for telephone updates.
Under HIPAA and confidentiality protocols, nurses must take reasonable safeguards to protect health information. Calling to verify the receipt of a faxed document ensures it reached the authorized recipient. The facility may disclose directory information, such as the room number, to individuals who ask for the client by name as long as the client has not opted out. Additionally, using a privacy passcode is a secure, HIPAA-compliant method to verify the identity and authorization of a telephone caller before disclosing clinical information.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the faxing procedure.
Calling to verify receipt of faxed protected health information is recognized as a required security measure.
It prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information sent to an incorrect number.
2
Evaluate the facility directory exemption.
HIPAA allows confirming a client's location if the caller asks by name and the client has not opted out.
This rule balances client privacy with practical facility visitor management.
3
Assess the telephone passcode practice.
A passcode formally verifies the caller's authorization to receive updates.
It prevents sharing medical details with unauthorized individuals over the phone.
4
Identify the breaches in the remaining options.
Accessing records for personal curiosity, leaving detailed clinical voicemails, and placing alerts on the outside of charts are violations.
These actions unnecessarily expose protected health information to unauthorized individuals.

Key Concept

HIPAA compliance requires strict verification of identity before disclosing information, the application of the minimum necessary rule, and protection of physical and electronic records from unauthorized viewing.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Confidentiality and Information Security

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