Final answer:
Dr. Blake may be violating patient privacy rights if he sells patient information without proper measures to protect confidentiality, as required by HIPAA regulations. Compliance with HIPAA is necessary during such transactions to ensure both legal and ethical business practices. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Dr. Blake is selling his practice to Dr. Walton, and if he sells patient information as part of the sale of the practice, he may be violating patient privacy rights because under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), health providers are required to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records. This means that any transition of ownership of a practice must also include measures to ensure the continued protection of patient information.
Transferring records as part of a sale is regarded as a routine business transaction; however, compliance with HIPAA regulations is crucial during such transactions to protect patient privacy. It is important for both doctors to ensure that they are not just engaging in a business transaction, but also maintaining ethical business practices that adhere to legal requirements.
Hence, Option a is correct.