Question

Information about the release of patient PHI can be found in the ______ procedures manual.

a) Human Resources
b) Safety
c) Patient Care
d) Privacy and Security

Answer 1

Information regarding the release of Protected Health Information (PHI) is contained within the d. Privacy and Security procedures manual. Greater consideration of HIPAA regulations is necessary when dealing with patient health records and the ethical dilemmas of maintaining patient confidentiality versus the need to inform others of risks in the context of sexually transmitted diseases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Information about the release of patient Protected Health Information (PHI) can be found in the Privacy and Security procedures manual. The management and disclosure of PHI are heavily regulated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted in 1996. This law sets forth standards for ensuring the confidentiality of patient health records, particularly when it comes to the sharing of digital records among healthcare providers to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided in the U.S.

In considering the balance between the costs of treatments and diagnoses, patient quality of life, and risks to individual privacy, policies must address several key issues. These can include:

1. How to maintain patient confidentiality while sharing health records to reduce healthcare costs?
2. What are the legal requirements for protecting patient privacy in the context of electronic health records?
3. From an ethical viewpoint, what takes precedence: patient privacy rights or the right to inform at-risk individuals in the case of infectious diseases?

These questions highlight the intricate balance between ethical considerations, legal requirements like HIPAA, and the practical needs of providing efficient healthcare services. When considering a sexually transmitted disease, the situation can become even more complex. The physician must navigate between the patient's privacy rights and the potential health risks to other individuals such as sexual partners, which may be in conflict with HIPAA rules if the partner is contacted without the patient's consent.