Problem:
Goldberg goes to a medical office for an appointment, and her physician decides to order some tests, gives her a form indicating which tests have been ordered, and tells her to take the form to the lab. When she arrives at the lab, she sees a sign-in sheet and a notice advising patients to deposit the form in the open basket that sits next to the sign-in sheet. The forms lie face-up in the basket, and they show a patient's name, address, birth date, social security number, and other demographic information, as well as the tests ordered. Is this a violation of HIPAA? If so, how can it be corrected?