Question

A health care organization must keep confidential the protected health information (PHI) of a deceased patient for six years following the patient's death.

True
False?

Answer 1

A health care organization must keep confidential the protected health information (PHI) of a deceased patient for a minimum of fifty years following the patient's death, not six years.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement is false. A health care organization is required to keep confidential the protected health information (PHI) of a deceased patient for a minimum of fifty years following the patient's death, not six years.

This requirement is outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets the standards for patient privacy and security in the healthcare industry. HIPAA ensures that healthcare organizations protect patient information and comply with strict confidentiality requirements.

Additionally, each state may have its own laws and regulations that govern the retention of medical records, including PHI. It's important for healthcare organizations to adhere to both federal and state regulations to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.