title: Here is what you can do to protect patient privacy.
abstract: Although the free exchange of information is a necessary part of patient care, it's important to ensure that data aren't inadvertently shared with the wrong people. To avoid inappropriate disclosure, save patient-specific conversations for private areas, not hospital hallways or elevators. It's also important to take steps to keep case management forms secure, double-check requests for provider-to-provider faxes, and make sure post-discharge requests for information are routed through the health information management department. Case management departments also should have a confidentiality policy that defines how computerized files are maintained to prevent security breaches, how information releases are handled, and other aspects of information management.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spath
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016494:Computer Security; D003219:Confidentiality; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D015285:Hospital-Patient Relations; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D018907:Privacy; D012637:Security Measures; D014481:United States