Case Study: A patient has just left the office after having an outpatient surgery procedure. As you getready to put away the patient's file, you realize that the patient has forgotten to take his prescriptions and after-care instruction sheets home with him. It is vital for proper healing and recovery for the patient to have these documents.
Questions
• Under HIPAA, are you legally allowed to view this patient's medical information? Why or why
not?
• In this case, how would you be able to correct your error and provide the missing documents
and instructions to the patient while still protecting patient confidentiality under HIPAA?
• List 3 ways patient confidentiality is maintained in the reception/waiting area of a medical
office.
• A breach of confidentiality can result in what consequences for a health care professional?
• Identify and explain two exceptions to confidentiality in healthcare settings.