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1. Jane works in the dietary department at Memorial Hospital where one of her duties is to deliver patient meal trays to the floors. She is not required to take the trays into the patients’ rooms. Because Jane has no direct contact with the patients, the HIPAA laws do not affect her.

False. As an employee of the hospital who has potential access to confidential patient information, Jane must be aware of and follow all HIPAA regulations. For example, if she were to see patient John Doe standing at the nurses’ station while she is dropping off a meal cart to that nursing department, according to HIPAA, it would be a violation to repeat that information to anyone else.

2. You are a night shift nursing supervisor at Central General Hospital. Upon checking bed assignments for the shift, you discover that the man to which your best friend, Jean is engaged, was admitted to the psychiatric ward that evening with an attempted suicide by drug overdose. After a phone call to Jean, you realize that she has no idea what’s happening with her fiancé. It is your duty to notify Jean and warn her of her fiancé’s behavior. Because of his unpredictable behavior and your genuine concern for your friend’s welfare, this would not be a violation of HIPAA laws.

False. Despite your desire to help your friend, your duty is to uphold patient confidentiality. Divulging this information could be reason for discipline or even, in certain cases, discharge.

3. You are a CNA at a local nursing home. One day a pastor and his wife come in to visit a patient who was recently diagnosed with MRSA. As they are about to enter the room, you note that they have not donned any respiratory isolation items, even though the entrance to the room is clearly marked to do so. It would be a HIPAA violation to tell them to apply the isolation gear since that could be viewed as discussing the patient’s diagnosis.

False. As a health care worker it is your responsibility to make certain that policies are adhered to. You can simply instruct the visitors on how to apply the protective garments, while stressing the importance of doing so. There is no need to go into any details regarding the patient’s diagnosis.

4. James has worked in the medical records department at a small rural hospital for 21 years and remembers dealing with patient charts long before "HIPAA." He is aware of the importance of patient confidentiality and has always been careful with the information that passes through his department. He has been at the hospital for such a long time that he now knows many patients and their family members personally. It’s because of his concern for the patients, that when he sees a long-familiar name on the discharge records, he makes it a point to check the charts, "just to see how they’re doing." This is not a HIPAA violation because he never repeats the information to anyone else.

False. No matter what the reason or good intent, James would be in violation of HIPAA laws by using his position to access information that he shouldn't have to perform his work. It is an invasion of the patient’s privacy.