COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

Which action is considered a breach of HIPAA?

1. Keeping patient records in a locked cabinet

2. Discussing patient information in a public area

3. Requesting consent from patients before discussing care

4. Posting health-related information on private social media

The correct answer is: Discussing patient information in a public area

Discussing patient information in a public area constitutes a breach of HIPAA because it involves disclosing protected health information (PHI) in an environment where unauthorized individuals can overhear or access that information. HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is designed to protect patients' privacy by ensuring that their medical records and personal health information are kept confidential. Any situation where PHI is shared in an unsecured or public venue violates this principle, exposing patients to potential harm or breach of privacy. In contrast, keeping patient records in a locked cabinet is a compliant practice that ensures confidentiality. Requesting consent from patients before discussing care aligns with HIPAA regulations, as it respects the patients' rights to control their personal health information. Posting health-related information on private social media could be problematic depending on the content and the privacy settings, but if it’s a private account with necessary precautions, it may not necessarily breach HIPAA. Nonetheless, discussing patient information publicly is a clear violation of the privacy safeguards established by HIPAA.