Clinical experience requires students to access the protected health information of clients. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires health client information to be secured and kept confidential. As a student, there is a legal and ethical need to protect a client’s right to privacy. Client information cannot be shared in any form or medium, including written, verbal, or electronic methods, with anyone other than those who are directly responsible for the patient’s care and treatment. Patient identifiers include but are not limited to: name; medical record number; visit number; and dates including birth date, date of admission and date of discharge. Patient care information can be discussed only in-patient care areas and with acute awareness of who is within hearing range.
While students may write down essential information to prepare and care for 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 all individually identifiable information. This relates to information about past, present and future:
- Physical and mental health.
- Provision of healthcare to the client.
- Payment for the client’s healthcare.
Violation of this policy may result in clinical and/or disciplinary probation, dismissal, and/or legal and financial consequences.