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HIPAA Quick Reference Guide For Employees

What precautions should I take when I am discussing a patient on a house phone?

Reasonable safeguards to protect patient privacy and to minimize the likelihood of incidental use or disclosure of PHI should be used.  For example:

• Do not discuss PHI on a house phone if you are likely to be overheard.
• Lower your voice when having conversations concerning patients.
• Do not say the patient's name.
• Keep PHI use or disclosure to a minimum.
  

Go to a more private area when discussing highly confidential PHI (see 'Highly Confidential Information' section in this guide for categories).

HIPAA Program Office
The University of Chicago Medical Center | 5841 South Maryland Avenue | Chicago, IL 60637
HPOwebmaster@bsd.uchicago.edu