Can physician offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of patients in their waiting rooms?
Yes, covered entities such as physician offices may use patient sign-in sheets or call out patient names in waiting rooms, so long as the information disclosed is appropriately limited. The Privacy Rule explicitly permits certain “incidental disclosures” that occur as a by-product of an otherwise permitted disclosure – for example, the disclosure to other patients in a waiting room of the identity of the person whose name is called. However, these “incidental” disclosures are permitted only to the extent that the covered entity has applied reasonable and appropriate safeguards and implemented the minimum necessary standard, where appropriate. For example, the sign-in sheet may not display medical information that is not necessary for the purpose of signing in (e.g., the medical problem). Question: A clinic customarily places patient charts in the plastic box outside an exam room. It does not want the record left unattended with the patient, and physicians want the record close by for f
Yes. Covered entities such as physician offices may use patient sign-in sheets or call out patient names in waiting rooms, so long as the information disclosed is appropriately limited. The Privacy Rule explicitly permits certain “incidental disclosures” that occur as a by-product of an otherwise permitted disclosure.
Response: Yes, covered entities such as physician offices may use patient sign-in sheets or call out patient names in waiting rooms, so long as the information disclosed is appropriately limited. The Privacy Rule explicitly permits certain incidental disclosures that occur as a by-product of an otherwise permitted disclosure for example, the disclosure to other patients in a waiting room of the identity of the person whose name is called. However, these incidental disclosures are permitted only to the extent that the covered entity has applied reasonable and appropriate safeguards (45 C.F.R. 164.530(c)), and implemented the minimum necessary standard, where appropriate (45 C.F.R. 164.502(b) and 164.514(d)). For example, the sign-in sheet may not display medical information that is not necessary for the purpose of signing in (e.g., the medical problem). For more information, see the preamble to the final modifications to the Privacy Rule (67 Fed. Reg. 53182, 5319395 (August 14, 2002)).
Related Questions
- May physicians offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of their patients in their waiting rooms?
- May physician offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of patients in their waiting rooms?
- Can physician offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of patients in their waiting rooms?
