Disclosures made concerning a patient's PHI without that patient's authorization is considered a HIPAA violation. Heath care providers must train their staff to ensure HIPAA compliance.
Read on for examples of HIPAA violation encountered by Maryland medical malpractice lawyers:
Medical staff discloses PHI during casual conversation. The HIPAA Privacy Rule forbids even an offhand remark to a third party that a certain patient had an appointment at the health care facility that day.
Health care staff discusses patient information in a public area where other visitors or patients could overhear health information. Patient information should never be discussed or displayed in elevators, waiting areas or hallways.
PHI is disposed of in the trash. Throwing health information in the trash is potentially opening it to public scrutiny.
Medical staff inadvertently reveals PHI by telephone or fax. Health information should not be left on an answering machine, where anyone other than the patient it concerns could hear it. Using an incorrect fax number will send health records to someone not authorized to view it.
Health care staff gossips about patients and health records. Since gossip is difficult to control, access to PHI should be strictly limited to only those employees whose jobs require the information.
Maryland medical malpractice lawyers at Snyder Litigation Team encourage patients to gain a good understanding of HIPAA laws and violations in order to protect their privacy rights.