Final answer:
An unauthorized disclosure of a medical record under HIPAA is considered a breach of patient confidentiality. HIPAA sets standards for protecting health information, and violations can lead to legal consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
An unauthorized use of the medical record that is not disclosed under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can be termed as a breach of patient confidentiality. HIPAA was enacted to establish national standards for the protection and confidentiality of patient health information. It sets clear guidelines on how health information should be protected, and unauthorized access or disclosures may result in significant legal implications. HIPAA violations occur when the necessary safeguards are not put in place to ensure the privacy and security of sensitive health information.
Questions regarding the development of policies for electronic health records could include: How will the policies protect patient privacy while still allowing for the efficient sharing of information? What measures will be put into place to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to digital records? How can the balance between lowering healthcare costs and ensuring high-quality patient care be maintained?