HIPAA and client confidentiality require

• A. Sharing patient information with neighbors
• B. Keeping health information private and only sharing with authorized individuals
• C. Posting care updates on social media
• D. Discussing patient details in public areas

Answer: (B)

HIPAA and client confidentiality require keeping health information private and sharing only with authorized individuals who have a legitimate need to know, such as the patient’s care team or someone given patient consent. In home health care, this means discussing only what is needed to provide care and doing so in private settings or through secure channels.

Sharing information with neighbors, posting care updates on social media, or discussing patient details in public areas are breaches of privacy because they expose sensitive information to people who don’t need to know it. Only information necessary for treatment, payment, and health operations should be shared, and usually only with those who are authorized or who have patient consent.