Specialist To Protect All-Protected Health Information

Describe the responsibility of the medical office specialist to protect all protected health information (PHI).Discuss what is required to disclose patient information to family members, friends, and when ordered by courts or government entities.

Confidentiality is an important issue in the health care industry. A person's medical history can be a powerful weapon in the wrong hands, not to mention a possible source of personal embarrassment. Patients may be reluctant to share personal information with their doctors if they believe that information will become public knowledge. Any breach in trust can seriously hamper a doctor's ability to deliver proper health care services.

To protect doctor-patient confidentiality, the federal government,

Only discuss medical issues behind closed doors. Always carry patient charts and other medical documents in ways that doesn't display the patient's name. Don't "shoulder surf" -- look over a coworker's shoulder to peek at patient information. Never leave patient charts in places other than the proper receptacles. If you make a note that isn't part of the official patient record, such as jotting down a phone number, destroy it as soon as possible. Always follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) guidelines for shredding and disposing of Protected Health Information (PHI). Never carry patient information out of the office unless it's part of your job. Above all, never discuss patient cases or reveal names when talking with friends and family. What happens at the office stays in the office.

Always remember, as a medical assistant, you are the face of your practice. You're probably the first person a patient encounters during a visit, and the first person in whom the patient is expected to confide. Your primary job is to make each patient feel comfortable, safe and at ease. Making sure to protect individual privacy can go a long way toward achieving this