HOW TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITYPresented by Francesa Allison

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN

•Why is Confidentiality Important

•Definition of Privacy, Confidentiality, HIPPA

• Types of Confidential Information

• Steps to Protect Patient Information

WHY IS CONFIDENTIALITY IMPORTANT

•Everyone is entitled to their privacy

• It protects patients from identity theft or misuse of their information

DEFINITIONS

• Privacy- The state of being free from public attention

• HIPPA- (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)

• A law that makes it easier for people to keep health insurance, protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information and help the healthcare industry control administrative costs (Department of Health, 2014)

• Confidentiality- a set of rules or a promise that limits access or places restrictions on certain types of information

TYPES OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

• Full Name

• Date of Birth

• Age

• Sex and Address

• Test Results

• Medical History

• Guardianship Orders

• Family Details

• Religion

STEPS TO PROTECT PATIENT INFORMATION

• Secure your Health IT System

• Don’t give out your access card information (pin code)

• Secure documents when not in use (lock filing cabinet)

• Transfer phone calls to private areas

• Never discuss patient information in public areas

• Always confirm patient identity

• Use secure routes to send patient information

• Don’t leave hard copies around unauthorized individuals

• Safeguard computer screens (log off computers when not in use)