Which of the following actions should a phlebotomist identify as an acceptable HIPAA practice?
Leaving a patient's record on a countertop while assisting other patients
Discarding patient contact information in the trash
Sharing passwords with a new coworker who has a stat laboratory value to report
Discussing patient information with an assisting coworker
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
Leaving a patient's record on a countertop while assisting other patients is not an acceptable HIPAA practice. Patient records contain sensitive information and should be kept secure at all times to maintain confidentiality. Leaving them in a place where unauthorized individuals could potentially access them violates HIPAA regulations.
Choice B reason:
Discarding patient contact information in the trash is a violation of HIPAA rules. Any documents containing patient information must be disposed of through secure methods, such as shredding, to ensure that the information cannot be retrieved or used improperly.
Choice C reason:
Sharing passwords with anyone, including coworkers, is against HIPAA guidelines and general security best practices. Each staff member should have a unique login credential to ensure that access can be tracked and that each person is accountable for their actions within the system.
Choice D reason:
Discussing patient information with an assisting coworker is acceptable under HIPAA, provided that the coworker has a legitimate need to know the information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations purposes. This type of sharing is necessary for collaborative care and is permitted as long as it is done in a manner that protects the patient's privacy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Submitting laboratory results to the representative for workers' compensation is generally not a violation of patient privacy. This action is often necessary as part of the claims process and is typically done with the patient's consent or as mandated by law.
Choice B Reason:
Discussing laboratory results with a patient's partner without the patient's explicit consent is a violation of patient privacy. Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in healthcare, and disclosing health information to unauthorized individuals, including family members, breaches that confidentiality.
Choice C Reason:
Providing diagnosis codes to a patient's insurance company is a standard procedure and is not considered a violation of patient privacy. This information is necessary for the insurance company to process claims and provide coverage for medical services.
Choice D Reason:
Printing a patient's full name on the specimen label is standard practice and does not violate patient privacy. This is done to ensure that the specimen is correctly identified and matched to the patient, which is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Taking the specimen temperature before 4 minutes is the correct procedure according to the Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines. The DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40 Section 40.65 states that the temperature of the specimen must be checked no later than four minutes after the employee has given the specimen. The acceptable temperature range is 32–38 °C/90–100 °F, which helps to verify the validity of the specimen.
Choice B Reason:
Taking the specimen temperature at 5 minutes is not within the DOT guidelines. The temperature must be taken before 4 minutes have passed to ensure the specimen's integrity and to comply with the regulatory requirements.
Choice C Reason:
At 15 minutes, the temperature check would be too late. The DOT guidelines specify that the temperature should be checked no later than four minutes after collection to ensure the specimen has not been tampered with and is within the acceptable temperature range.
Choice D Reason:
After 30 minutes, the temperature of the urine specimen would not reflect the body temperature at the time of collection, which is necessary for the validity of the test. This delay could allow for the temperature to fall outside of the acceptable range, potentially invalidating the specimen.
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