Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the HIPAA Exam. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Equip yourself with knowledge on health data privacy, transaction standards, and more!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What action should be taken if an employee accidentally sends PHI to the wrong recipient?

Ignore it if the recipient seems trusted
Notify the intended recipient only
Report the incident as a potential breach
Delete the email and move on

The correct answer is: Report the incident as a potential breach

When PHI (Protected Health Information) is accidentally sent to the wrong recipient, it is crucial to report the incident as a potential breach. The significance of this action lies in maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations, which are designed to protect patient privacy and establish protocols for addressing breaches of information. By reporting the incident, an organization demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding PHI and allows for an investigation to assess the breach's impact. This may include determining how the breach occurred, notifying affected individuals when necessary, and implementing corrective measures to prevent future occurrences. Ignoring the situation, notifying only the intended recipient, or deleting the email would not only fail to address the breach but could also expose the organization to further risks and potential penalties for non-compliance with HIPAA regulations. Proper reporting is essential not just for legal compliance, but also for maintaining trust with patients and ensuring the integrity of health information systems.