Question

Patients have a justified expectation to right to privacy; however, local and state laws require reporting of certain patient information. Give two examples in which a patient’s medical information or medical diagnosis/treatment must be shared with local/state officials.

Answer 1

Patients' medical information or diagnosis/treatment must be shared with local/state officials when dealing with communicable diseases or suspected child abuse.

Step-by-step explanation:

Although patients have a right to privacy, there are certain situations where their medical information or diagnosis/treatment must be shared with local/state officials. Two examples include:

1. Reporting communicable diseases: Local and state laws may require healthcare providers to report the diagnosis of certain communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis or sexually transmitted infections, to their respective health departments. This is done to track the spread of the disease and take necessary measures to prevent further transmission.
2. Mandatory reporting of child abuse: In cases where healthcare providers suspect or have evidence of child abuse or neglect, they are legally obligated to report this information to child protective services or other relevant authorities. Protecting the well-being of the child takes precedence over the patient's privacy rights in such cases.