The nurse is curious why his sister-in-law, who is the patient of a provider at a different branch of the health care organization, has so many doctor's appointments. Is it legal for him to look at her health record? Why or why not?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Accessing a patient's health information without a direct need for their care violates patient privacy laws, such as HIPAA in the United States. Health information is protected and should only be accessed by individuals directly involved in the patient's care or with explicit permission. Being a family member or an employee of the health care organization does not grant automatic access to a patient's health records without a legitimate need to know for care purposes.

The Nurse Is Curious Why His Sister-In-Law, Who Is the Patient