Question

Privacy of what patient information is protected by law?

Address and telephone number
Diagnosis
Identity
Both diagnosis AND identity
I

Answer 1

The privacy of both patient diagnosis and identity is protected by law under HIPAA. This includes tangible information like addresses and telephone numbers, and complicates situations where notifying sexual partners about STIs might be necessary for public health. option 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The privacy of patient information protected by law under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) includes both the diagnosis and identity of the patient. HIPAA, enacted in 1996, mandates that healthcare providers and health-related businesses maintain stringent confidentiality protocols concerning patient health records. This means that any identifiable information like an address, telephone number, medical record, and diagnosis is safeguarded under this act. The law presents challenges when balancing the ethical considerations of patient privacy with public health responsibilities, such as notifying sexual partners about potential sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

When dealing with minors, who may be more reluctant to share information regarding their sexual health if they believe that it might be disclosed to their parents, healthcare providers face even more complex decisions. They must weigh the adolescent's right to confidentiality against the parents' right to be informed. Furthermore, this complexity extends to treating and notifying sexual partners, where privacy rights can sometimes conflict with the partner's right to know they may be at risk of an STI.

Overall, HIPAA underscores the importance of confidentiality in the healthcare setting while also acknowledging the need for exceptions in certain public health scenarios. Nevertheless, healthcare providers must always navigate these situations with care to avoid unauthorized disclosure of protected health information.

Answer 2

Both diagnosis AND identity

Step-by-step explanation:

The doctor is prohibited by law to share and information about the patient that discloses their identity or their diagnosis. If the patient chooses even the parents can not be told by the doctor what is wrong with the teenager. The doctor or psychologist can only share information if the patient gives them permission and this is done by changing the name of the patient so nobody can know who really had the diagnosis in question.