Patient Safety & LawQuestion 86 of 100
Two assistants discuss a patient's HIV status at the front desk while other patients wait nearby. Which principle was violated?
a.The right of the patient to refuse treatment
b.The requirement to obtain a signed treatment plan
c.The rule that all records must be kept for seven years
d.The requirement to safeguard protected health information and disclose only the minimum necessary
Explanation
Discussing a patient's diagnosis where others can overhear violates the obligation to safeguard protected health information and to limit disclosures to the minimum necessary for the task. The right to refuse treatment and the signing of a treatment plan concern consent, not confidentiality. Record retention periods are set by state law and are unrelated to an overheard conversation.
Law Reference: HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164)Practice all 100 questions free — no signup required.
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