Question

A nurse manager is overseeing the care activities on a unit. for which of the following situations should the nurse manager intervene due to a violation of HIPAA guidelines?

a. The nurse manager intervenes when a staff member discusses a patient's diagnosis and treatment plan in the hospital elevator where others can overhear.
b. The nurse manager steps in when a nurse shares patient information on social media without obtaining the patient's consent.
c. The nurse manager addresses a situation where a healthcare provider leaves a patient's medical records unattended in a public area.

Answer 1

The nurse manager should intervene in all mentioned scenarios as they are potential violations of HIPAA which mandates the confidentiality and security of patient information.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse manager should intervene in all of the mentioned situations because each one represents a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. HIPAA requires that all patient information be kept confidential and secure. The specific scenarios described involve:

• Discussing a patient's diagnosis and treatment in a setting where unauthorized individuals might overhear, such as a hospital elevator.
• A nurse sharing patient information on social media without the express consent of the patient.
• Leaving a patient's medical records unattended in a public area where individuals without the proper authorization could access them.

Each of these actions compromises the privacy and security of health records, which are protected under HIPAA. Proper training and strict policies must be established and enforced to prevent such breaches of patient confidentiality.