Office Administrative Assistant Practice Exam

What is referred to as the improper release of a patient's PHI?

1. Breach of Confidentiality

2. Data Mismanagement

3. Unauthorized Access

4. Identity Theft

The correct answer is: Breach of Confidentiality

The term "Breach of Confidentiality" specifically refers to the improper release of a patient's Protected Health Information (PHI). This can occur when sensitive health information is disclosed without proper authorization or in violation of privacy regulations, such as HIPAA in the United States. Maintaining the confidentiality of PHI is crucial in healthcare, as it safeguards the trust between patients and healthcare providers and ensures compliance with legal standards. A breach can lead to serious consequences, including legal actions, financial penalties for organizations, and damage to the reputations of healthcare providers. While concepts like Data Mismanagement, Unauthorized Access, and Identity Theft can involve aspects of data privacy and security, they do not specifically denote the improper release of PHI. Data Mismanagement typically relates to the overall handling and organization of data, Unauthorized Access signifies accessing data without permission rather than releasing it, and Identity Theft involves stealing someone’s personal information for fraudulent purposes. Thus, 'Breach of Confidentiality' is the term that accurately captures the improper release of a patient's PHI.