Final answer:
To secure PHI and PII, steps include shredding documents, not leaving sensitive information in unattended vehicles, avoiding the inclusion of PHI or PII in emails unless secured, and following best practices like using strong passwords, anti-virus software, and being aware of privacy rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
When safeguarding and securing PHI (Protected Health Information) and PII (Personally Identifiable Information), several steps should be taken to protect this sensitive data. First, it is important to shred documents containing PHI or PII to prevent unauthorized access to such information after disposal. Secondly, physical safeguarding is vital; hence, never leave laptops or documents containing PHI or PII in an unattended vehicle to avoid theft.
Additional measures include becoming familiar with privacy rights, reading and understanding privacy policies, protecting credit and debit cards, safeguarding mailboxes and wallets, using strong passwords and PINs, employing anti-virus software on computers, and notifying banks of any address or phone changes. It is also essential to immediately take action if you discover that your information has been stolen.