QUESTION 8 OF 20

If you were to see a peer checking for results of lab tests of a patient for whom he or she was not the pathologist consulted, how would you respond?

This is nothing more than HIPAA, about which institutions are very sensitive. Although pathologists in a hospital lab share testing and reporting responsibilities, the question is probably about that rogue person trying to pry into another person's personal life, e.g., looking for results indicating sexually transmitted infection or other personally sensitive information. As such, it is HIPAA-protected, with punitive fines indicated when it happens. Answer along the lines of following the law and following the institution's protocol for handling such problems. That's all you have to do.

"First, I would make sure I saw or heard correctly, which is easily verified by the sign-ins and sign-offs on the electronic health records commonly used. But there are results that are accessible for the purpose of anyone on the pathology team contributing to the medical information related to the patient--to the benefit of both that patient and the doctor; in that way, it would require my asking the person in question the purpose of the suspicious inquiry, for it may be innocent and just good medicine as part of the team approach. However, if it were inappropriate, I would report it up the chain of command according to whatever protocol is in place for reporting HIPAA violations."

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Pathology Physician Mock Interview

If you were to see a peer checking for results of lab tests of a patient for whom he or she was not the pathologist consulted, how would you respond?

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20 Pathology Physician Interview Questions & Answers