If a patient is being scanned and a granddaughter asks you to interpret the scan, what is the appropriate action?

If a patient is being scanned and a granddaughter asks you to interpret the scan, what is the appropriate action?

• A. Have patient sign a HIPAA release form
• B. Explain results to granddaughter without patient present
• C. Provide a written summary to granddaughter
• D. Refer granddaughter to the physician

Answer: (D)

Protecting patient privacy is the main idea here. Medical information is confidential and can only be shared with someone other than the patient if the patient has given explicit permission or named that person as a personal representative. Since the granddaughter is not the patient and there’s no indication of authorization, discussing or interpreting the scan with her would violate privacy rules. The appropriate action is to refer the granddaughter to the physician, who can discuss the results after proper authorization is verified. If the patient signs a HIPAA release or designates the granddaughter as a representative, then the physician can disclose information through the proper channels.

Protecting patient privacy is the main idea here. Medical information is confidential and can only be shared with someone other than the patient if the patient has given explicit permission or named that person as a personal representative. Since the granddaughter is not the patient and there’s no indication of authorization, discussing or interpreting the scan with her would violate privacy rules. The appropriate action is to refer the granddaughter to the physician, who can discuss the results after proper authorization is verified. If the patient signs a HIPAA release or designates the granddaughter as a representative, then the physician can disclose information through the proper channels.