A coder looks up a neighbor's recent ED visit in the EHR out of personal curiosity with no assigned coding work on that account. What is the correct characterization?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Neighbors do not equal need-to-know. Opening that ED chart for curiosity is snooping, and HIPAA treats it as a violation—even if nothing is posted about it. Stick to assigned accounts.
Full Explanation
Workforce members may access PHI only for legitimate job duties. Viewing a neighbor's or acquaintance's record without an assigned work need is unauthorized access and a privacy violation. Facilities typically investigate such events and apply sanctions; absence of further disclosure does not make the access permissible.