Ethics and Confidentiality Flashcards

A patient with a signed lien from a personal injury case requests that their records not be sent to their attorney. What should the clinic do?

Answer: Honor the request unless a valid authorization or legal order requires disclosure

Disclosure to an attorney requires a valid patient authorization or a legal mandate, and patients may revoke an authorization in writing.

A 16-year-old athlete presents alone requesting treatment. In most U.S. states, what is generally required before non-emergency care?

Answer: Consent from a parent or legal guardian

Minors generally cannot consent to non-emergency chiropractic care, so a parent or guardian must consent unless the minor is emancipated or a state exception applies.

Telling a patient that CBP spinal correction will cure their diabetes violates which ethical principle?

Answer: Veracity and truthful advertising

Making unsupported claims about outcomes is deceptive and violates veracity and truthful-advertising standards.

Which practice best protects PHI displayed on radiograph viewing monitors in an open adjusting room?

Answer: Positioning screens away from others and using screen timeouts

Reasonable safeguards such as screen positioning and auto-lock limit incidental disclosure of PHI.

Offering a free gift card to Medicare patients for every referral may violate which federal law?

Answer: The Anti-Kickback Statute

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits giving anything of value to induce referrals of federal health program business.

How long must HIPAA-required documentation such as policies and signed authorizations be retained?

Answer: 6 years

HIPAA requires that policies, procedures, and authorizations be retained for six years from creation or last effective date.

Under HIPAA, PHI may be disclosed without authorization in which circumstance?

Answer: To report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authority

HIPAA permits disclosures required by law, including mandated reporting of child abuse.