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Difficulty: MediumConfidentiality and Information Security

A nurse is providing care on a medical-surgical unit and managing protected health information (PHI) throughout the shift. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrate appropriate adherence to client confidentiality and electronic information security standards? Select all that apply.

  1. Disposing of printed shift handoff sheets in a designated secure shredding bin prior to leaving the facility.Answer
  2. B
    Withholding documentation of suspected physical abuse from adult protective services to maintain the client's privacy.
  3. Locking the screen of the mobile electronic health record workstation before turning away to assist a client with repositioning.Answer
  4. D
    Allowing an unlicensed assistive personnel to chart oral intake using the nurse's active computer session during an emergency.
  5. Requesting the facility-assigned authorization code from a caller before providing a telephone update on the client's condition.Answer

Answer

The correct actions are disposing of printed handoff sheets in a secure shredding bin, locking the mobile workstation screen when turning away, and requesting an authorization code before providing telephone updates.
Appropriate adherence to confidentiality includes utilizing secure disposal methods for physical documents containing protected health information, immediately locking electronic workstation screens when attention is diverted, and implementing verification protocols (like passcodes) prior to releasing information over the telephone.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the requirement for information security and PHI protection under standard nursing guidelines and HIPAA.
Identify that strict protocols govern physical documents, electronic access, and verbal disclosures.
Understanding these categories is necessary to evaluate the appropriateness of each scenario.
2
Evaluate the actions regarding physical documents and electronic access.
Securely shredding handoff sheets and locking the EHR screen when turning away are both required practices to prevent unauthorized access.
Physical papers and unattended screens are common sources of unintentional privacy breaches.
3
Assess the actions involving verbal disclosures and interdisciplinary communication.
Verifying a caller's authorization code is a correct safeguard. However, withholding suspected abuse reports from protective services is a violation of mandatory reporting laws, and sharing a logged-in computer session is a direct breach of IT security policies.
HIPAA provides exceptions for mandatory reporting, and personal accountability requires staff to solely use their own login credentials.

Key Concept

Confidentiality and Information Security
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Topics

Confidentiality and Information Security

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