CNA Certification (Written Exam)Resident Rights and Legal/EthicalMedium
A nurse aide is asked by a resident's family member to share details about another resident's medical condition because 'they are neighbors and good friends.' How should the nurse aide respond?
- AState that due to HIPAA, no information can be shared about other residents.
- BBriefly share a few non-confidential details to be polite.
- CSuggest the family member ask the other resident directly.
- DTell the family member to speak with the nurse for such information.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. State that due to HIPAA, no information can be shared about other residents.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) strictly protects resident health information. Nurse aides must never share any protected health information (PHI) about one resident with anyone not directly involved in their care, even if they are friends or family of another resident.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Sharing any medical details, confidential or not, is a violation of HIPAA.
- C. While the resident might choose to share their own information, the nurse aide cannot suggest or facilitate this for PHI.
- D. The nurse also cannot share PHI about another resident without specific authorization, so this is not an appropriate redirection.
HIPAA and Information Sharing
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of patient health information. Healthcare providers, including CNAs, are legally and ethically bound to protect this information.
- PHI is Protected Health Information.
- Only share PHI on a 'need-to-know' basis.
- Sharing PHI without consent is a HIPAA violation.
Memory trick: HIPAA says 'Hands Off Private info, Always!'