Describe the responsibility of the medical office specialist to protect all protected health information (PHI).
When it comes to protecting patient information, it’s about getting employees to understand how to best protect it and what to do if there is a data breach. Training is essential and should include not only administrative employees, like medical office specialist, but also doctors, nurses, and other clinicians throughout the organization. All employees with access to patient information need to have the understanding of how to maintain security protocols when it comes to patient care. Many clinicians tend to look at PHI breaches as simply an IT issue. However, any breach of trust can seriously hamper a doctor’s ability to deliver …show more content…
In this situation, the physician has to exercise caution and to use their best judgment when providing information. Discussions with friends and family ought to be limited to basic information about the patient’s general state of health.
Summonses, Subpoenas and Court Orders
In the course of litigation, physicians may be required by a summons, subpoena or a court order to disclose a patient’s personal health information and patient records. The physician should read the summons, subpoena or court order carefully and not do more than it requires. For example, a summons may require a physician to attend a court at a particular time and to take a specific patient chart. The summons does not authorize the physician to discuss the patient’s care with, or show the record to, anyone in advance of the court appearance.
Disclosure to Police
It is not mandatory for physicians to provide confidential material to the police in the absence of a legal obligation. At these times, the general rules regarding consent and disclosure apply, meaning that express consent, either from the patient directly, or the substitute decision-maker, will be required before the police are provided with personal health
When it comes to protecting patient information, it’s about getting employees to understand how to best protect it and what to do if there is a data breach. Training is essential and should include not only administrative employees, like medical office specialist, but also doctors, nurses, and other clinicians throughout the organization. All employees with access to patient information need to have the understanding of how to maintain security protocols when it comes to patient care. Many clinicians tend to look at PHI breaches as simply an IT issue. However, any breach of trust can seriously hamper a doctor’s ability to deliver …show more content…
In this situation, the physician has to exercise caution and to use their best judgment when providing information. Discussions with friends and family ought to be limited to basic information about the patient’s general state of health.
Summonses, Subpoenas and Court Orders
In the course of litigation, physicians may be required by a summons, subpoena or a court order to disclose a patient’s personal health information and patient records. The physician should read the summons, subpoena or court order carefully and not do more than it requires. For example, a summons may require a physician to attend a court at a particular time and to take a specific patient chart. The summons does not authorize the physician to discuss the patient’s care with, or show the record to, anyone in advance of the court appearance.
Disclosure to Police
It is not mandatory for physicians to provide confidential material to the police in the absence of a legal obligation. At these times, the general rules regarding consent and disclosure apply, meaning that express consent, either from the patient directly, or the substitute decision-maker, will be required before the police are provided with personal health