Question

You are approached by a journalist and asked whether you transported Jane Doe to the emergency department. You should:

A. Give the journalist any information he needs.
B. Confirm that you did transport the patient, but not give any additional information.
C. Inform the journalist that you cannot talk about any patients you care for.
D. Direct the journalist to the emergency department staff.

Answer 1

The appropriate response when a journalist inquires about a patient is to adhere to patient confidentiality laws and inform the journalist that you cannot discuss any patient's care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When approached by a journalist asking whether you transported Jane Doe to the emergency department, the best course of action is to respect patient confidentiality. According to health privacy laws such as HIPAA in the United States, revealing any patient information without consent is illegal. Therefore, the correct answer is:

C. Inform the journalist that you cannot talk about any patients you care for.

Ensuring patient privacy is a crucial aspect of the healthcare profession. When facing such situations, it's important to remain professional and avoid divulging any information that could identify or relate to a patient's care or personal health information.