After using a shared computer, what is the best practice to protect patient privacy?

After using a shared computer, what is the best practice to protect patient privacy?

• A. Leave it unlocked for convenience
• B. Log off and ensure the screen is not visible
• C. Copy patient data to a USB drive
• D. Print patient lists for later use

Answer: (B)

Protecting patient privacy on shared computers means preventing anyone from viewing or accessing PHI after you’re done. The best practice is to log off and ensure the screen isn’t visible to others. Logging off ends your authenticated session so no one else can access applications or patient data without signing back in, and making sure the screen isn’t visible prevents shoulder-surfing or casual viewing by nearby people. Leaving a workstation unlocked would allow immediate access by anyone nearby, while copying data to a USB drive or printing patient lists creates additional copies of PHI that can be lost or seen by unauthorized individuals. So, logging off and ensuring the screen is not visible effectively protects privacy and complies with security expectations.

Protecting patient privacy on shared computers means preventing anyone from viewing or accessing PHI after you’re done. The best practice is to log off and ensure the screen isn’t visible to others. Logging off ends your authenticated session so no one else can access applications or patient data without signing back in, and making sure the screen isn’t visible prevents shoulder-surfing or casual viewing by nearby people. Leaving a workstation unlocked would allow immediate access by anyone nearby, while copying data to a USB drive or printing patient lists creates additional copies of PHI that can be lost or seen by unauthorized individuals. So, logging off and ensuring the screen is not visible effectively protects privacy and complies with security expectations.