What are some examples of violation of patient confidentiality?

Asked by: Imelda Leuschke  |  Last update: September 16, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (36 votes)

Here's the list of examples of HIPAA violations:
  • Healthcare employees divulging patient information. ...
  • Medical records falling into the wrong hands. ...
  • Sharing PHI using non-secure methods. ...
  • Posting PHI on social media. ...
  • Accessing patient files without authorization. ...
  • Using weak third-party technology. ...
  • Delaying breach notification.

What is an example of a violation of confidentiality?

Leaving confidential information unattended in a non-secure area. Disclosing confidential information without proper authorization. Discussing confidential information in the presence of individuals who do not have the "need to know' to perform assigned duties. Improper disposal of confidential information.

What are patient confidentiality violations?

A HIPAA violation refers to the failure to comply with HIPAA rules, which can include unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI), failure to provide patients with access to their PHI, lack of safeguards to protect PHI, failure to conduct regular risk assessments, or insufficient ...

What is an example of a breach in patient confidentiality?

Examples of Breaches in Patient Confidentiality

The most common cause of these breaches is Hacking/ IT Incidents, Unauthorized Access or Disclosure, and Loss/Theft of Devices.

What would violate a patient's right to confidentiality?

If a patient discovers that the information they shared with their doctor was mishandled or shared with others without their consent, this is a violation of the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement, and they may be able to sue their healthcare provider for medical malpractice.

Privacy Breaches in Hospitals

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Which situation would be considered a violation of a patient's right to confidentiality?

For example, if you are a healthcare worker and transmit or even discuss PHI with others not involved with that patient's care, you violate HIPAA. However, a HIPAA rule permits disclosure of PHI without prior obtained consent for healthcare operations, treatment, and payment.

What are four examples of exceptions to confidentiality?

Therapists and mental health professionals are legally obligated to report in several situations:
  • Child abuse or neglect: All states require professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect. ...
  • Elder abuse: ...
  • Threats of violence: ...
  • Severe mental illness:

What are 5 examples of confidentiality?

The following information is confidential:
  • Social Security number.
  • Name.
  • Personal financial information.
  • Family information.
  • Medical information.
  • Credit card numbers, bank account numbers, amount / what donated.
  • Telephone / fax numbers, e-mail, URLs.

What is a real life example of a HIPAA violation?

In one HIPAA violation example, providers sent unencrypted PHI via email to patients. Use only devices and platforms that are protected and encrypted. Failing to plan for cyber attacks: Cyber attacks are increasingly common with so many records stored in the cloud.

When can patient confidentiality be broken?

Breaching confidentiality is only justified in specific circumstances where there's a severe threat to the patient or others, legal mandates require disclosure or public health concerns require sharing information to prevent harm.

What is an example of patient confidentiality?

Health care professionals have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep personal medical information confidential consistent with the person's preferences. For example, doctor-patient medical discussions should generally occur in private and a patient might prefer that the doctor call their cell phone rather than home.

What patient right is most often violated?

What Patient Rights Are Most Often Violated?
  • Understaffing (considered a primary cause of patient rights violations).
  • Failure to provide quality care and proper nursing services.
  • Failure to adequately educate patients and help them make informed decisions about their treatment plans.

How strict is patient confidentiality?

In general, patients are entitled to decide whether and to whom their personal health information is disclosed. However, specific consent is not required in all situations. Notify the patient of the disclosure, when feasible. To appropriate authorities when disclosure is required by law.

What is a breach of confidentiality and what are some examples?

Breach of confidentiality examples

Medical records being disclosed to a third party without your consent. An email containing confidential information is sent to the wrong person. An employee discusses their employer's affairs with someone outside of the organisation.

What is the most common violation of HIPAA?

What are the 10 Most Common HIPAA Violations?
  • Insufficient ePHI Access Controls. ...
  • Failure to Use Encryption or an Equivalent Measure to Safeguard ePHI on Portable Devices. ...
  • Exceeding the 60-Day Deadline for Issuing Breach Notifications. ...
  • Impermissible Disclosures of Protected Health Information. ...
  • Improper Disposal of PHI.

Which example may illustrate a breach of confidentiality?

Here's some breach of confidentiality examples you could find yourself facing: Saving sensitive information on an unsecure computer that leaves the data accessible to others. Sharing employees' personal data, like payroll details, bank details, home addresses and medical records.

Which of the following is a violation of patient confidentiality?

However, viewing the medical record of a patient who is not under your care is a violation of patient confidentiality and is not allowed.

What are three examples of violations?

What Are Some Violations Under Local, State & Federal Laws?
  • Copyright Infringement. ...
  • Child Pornography. ...
  • Distribution of Pornography to Minors. ...
  • Obscenity. ...
  • Scams & Pyramid Schemes. ...
  • Federal Computer Security Violations. ...
  • Bomb Threats and Hoaxes. ...
  • Employee Workplace Environment.

What is the largest HIPAA violation of all time?

One of the most notorious HIPAA violations occurred in 2015 when Anthem, Inc. fell victim to a series of cyber attacks, compromising the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of nearly 79 million people. This data breach is considered one of the largest in healthcare history.

What is the most common breach of confidentiality?

A classic example of a breach of confidentiality is mistakenly sending Client A an email that was meant for Client B. In this instance, you've shared Client B's sensitive information with a third party without their consent. This could either be by you as the business owner or one of your employees.

What is the golden rule of confidentiality?

A California attorney may only disclose a client's confidential information without informed consent when the attorney reasonably believes it is “necessary to prevent a criminal act” that will likely result in death or bodily harm.

What does doctor patient confidentiality not cover?

There are a few situations in which a doctor can break confidentiality. They may need to share medical information with others to provide or obtain treatment, report child abuse or neglect, or protect someone from harm.

What is a breach of confidentiality in healthcare?

A breach of confidentiality involves sharing a patient's information without consent. State and federal laws protect patient confidentiality. Breaking a patient's confidentiality is a form of medical malpractice. A patient can have a cause of action against a medical provider.

What overrides confidentiality?

The clearest situations in which confidentiality can be justifiably overridden are those in which the patient places another person or the community at significant risk of serious harm. Confidentiality is a prima facie duty. It may be validly overridden by more compelling obligations.

What are the 3 limits of confidentiality?

The following situations typically legally obligate therapists to break confidentiality and seek outside assistance: Detailed planning of future suicide attempts. Other concrete signs of suicidal intent. Planned violence towards others.