Final answer:
A resident's PHI may be shared with individuals or entities like healthcare providers who need it for care or record processing according to HIPAA. Sharing PHI with friends, family, or all facility workers without a need-to-know for patient care is not permitted. Balancing health risks and privacy rights is critical and context-dependent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the sharing of a resident's protected health information (PHI), which is regulated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). PHI can be shared with individuals or entities only in specific circumstances, primarily for providing the care needed for the patient or processing of health records.
Answer Choices:
- B) Those who need the information for care or processing of records is the correct choice because HIPAA allows the sharing of PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without the patient's consent.
- A) The resident's friends who live in the facility, C) The nursing assistant's family and friends, and D) Anyone who works at the facility, are not permitted recipients of PHI unless they have a clear need-to-know for care or are involved in processing of records, and even then, only the minimum necessary information should be shared.
Legal and ethical considerations often intersect when dealing with PHI, especially in cases that involve contacting sexual partners of patients with infectious diseases. While some laws may necessitate notifying individuals at risk, careful consideration is needed to balance public health concerns with individual privacy rights. Ensuring the privacy of electronic health records is fundamental in such cases.