'Privacy-Friendly' Practices
Abide by the organization's Notice of Privacy Practices
- Only access confidential information if you need it to do your job
- Shred or destroy
- Fax and copy machine location
- Talking in public areas
- Keep patient information out of public areas
How can you do your part in protecting confidential information and the patient's privacy?
There are a few key things to remember:
- Review the Notice of Privacy Practices given to each individual and abide by the content. The Notice must be followed and enforced.
- Only access patient information if you need it to do your job.
- Make sure paper, documents, reports, and the like containing patient information is shredded or destroyed in some way when throwing it in the garbage. This will help to ensure that confidential information is not inadvertently seen by unauthorized individuals.
- If fax and copy machines are used to send or copy PHI, make sure they are located away from public areas.
Always consider where you are talking about confidential information. Are you in a public area where others can hear? Whether you are talking to a patient or family or with other staff members, try to keep your conversations from being overheard. If possible, move to an unoccupied corner or another room to protect the privacy of the information discussed.
Keep confidential patient information out of public areas such as waiting rooms, conference rooms, the top of a nursing station or receptionist desk, or on white boards viewable by the public.