This document discusses the importance of maintaining confidentiality in healthcare. It defines key terms like privacy, confidentiality, and HIPAA. Confidential information includes a patient's name, date of birth, medical history, and test results. The document outlines steps to protect patient information such as securing health IT systems, safeguarding computer screens, and transferring phone calls to private areas. Maintaining confidentiality is important to protect patient privacy and prevent identity theft.

1. HOW TO MAINTAIN
CONFIDENTIALITY
Francesa Allison
MHA 690 Health Care Capstone
Instructor: David Cole

2. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN
•Why is Confidentiality Important
•Definition of Privacy, Confidentiality, HIPPA
•Types of Confidential Information
•Steps to Protect Patient Information

3. WHY IS CONFIDENTIALITY
IMPORTANT
•Everyone is entitled to their privacy
•It protects patients from identity theft or misuse of
their information

4. 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

5. TYPES OF CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Age
• Sex and Address
• Test Results
• Medical History
• Guardianship Orders
• Family Details
• Religion

6. 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

7. STEPS TO PROTECT PATIENT
INFORMATION CONT.
• 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)

8. REFERENCES
Fox News. (2008). Report Over 120 UCLA hospital staff saw
celebrity health records. Retrieved from
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,398784,00.html
Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). HIPPA.
Retrieved from www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/.