Final answer:
It includes patient names and room numbers. HIPAA allows the maintenance of a patient directory with limited information such as name and room number, which can be released without specific patient authorization unless the patient objects or is incapacitated.The correct statement is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The true statement about a Covered Entity's (CE) patient directory under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is D. It includes patient names and room numbers. CE's are permitted under HIPAA to maintain a directory of patients that includes limited information which may be disclosed without specific patient authorization to people who ask for the patient by name. These details, such as the patient's name, location in the healthcare provider’s facility, their general condition (e.g., fair, stable, etc.), and religious affiliation, can be provided unless the patient has objected to such information release or is incapacitated in which case, the CE must follow their established protocols consistent with HIPAA requirements.
The availability of this directory is not completely unrestricted. HIPAA aims to strike a balance between necessary information sharing for patient care and privacy protections. It does not, as option C suggests, outright prohibit such directories, but rather restricts access and the type of information that can be included. Option A, stating that inclusion requires patient authorization, is not entirely accurate; while patient consent forms usually cover directory listings, explicit authorization is not always necessary for this aspect under HIPAA.
Additionally, option B, which states that it can only be accessed by healthcare providers, is incorrect, as certain directory information can be released to individuals other than healthcare providers when they specifically ask for the patient by name.
The correct statement is D.