If you discovered that a coworker was violating patient privacy by discussing information outside of the care team, how would you respond?

"Unfortunately, breaches of patient confidentiality happens more easily than we think. If I were to discover that a coworker compromised a patient's right to privacy, I would report the incident to my supervisor. The effects of breaches in confidentiality are more far-reaching than many people realize. It is up to us, as healthcare providers, to protect our patient's right to privacy at all times."

In most areas of the world, there are laws in place protecting patient privacy. In the USA, we often refer to HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which has been in place since 1996. Anyone who works in the healthcare industry is required to understand and follow the regulations in place by HIPAA. Failure to do so can result in loss of employment and possible criminal charges. The interviewer wants to see that you know your role in protecting a patient's privacy and that you will make wise decisions if you feel a patient's confidentiality was compromised.

"I believe that we all should strive to protect our patient's confidentiality and follow HIPAA to the tee. If I were to discover that a coworker violated my patient's right to privacy, I would report it to my immediate supervisor. The consequences of unlawfully sharing protected information can impact all of us, and we should all do our part in trying to prevent these events from ever occurring."