Provide direction in the care and use of confidential patient information.
Clinical experience requires students to access protected health information about clients. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) require health information about clients to be secured and keep confidential.
Each student has a legal and ethical need to protect a client's right to privacy. Client information will not be shared in any form or medium, including written, verbal, or electronic methods, with anyone other than those who are directly responsible for patient's care and treatment. Patient identifiers include name, medical record number, birth date, date of admission, and date of discharge. Patient care information will be discussed only in-patient care areas, and with acute awareness of who is within hearing range.
While students may write down essential information for the preparation and care of clients, information that identifies a client in any way may NOT be taken from the clinical site. No records may be photocopied for any reason. It is unlawful to disclose any individually identifiably information. This relates to information about past, present and future:
- Physical and mental health
- Provision of health care to client
- Payment for client's health care
Violation of this policy may result in clinical dismissal and/or legal and financial consequences.