Question

question 7 of 30
if a patient opts out of the cha inpatient directory, how can an outside visitor confirm that the patient is being treated at a cha facility.
by calling the main cha number and asking if the person is a patient.
by calling each patient floor to find out if the person is there.
by calling the clinic where the persons primary care provider practices to see if they know.
by contacting the patient directly; only the patient can inform people s/he is at cha if the patient has opted out of the directory.

Explanation:

This question relates to patient privacy and healthcare communication protocols. In healthcare, patient confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA in the US) restricts disclosing patient information without the patient’s consent. The option stating that only the patient can inform others if they opted out of the directory aligns with privacy regulations, as external parties can’t be told patient status without patient authorization. Other options involve asking the facility or clinics, which would violate privacy if the patient opted out of the directory (meaning the facility can’t disclose their status without patient consent).

Answer:

By contacting the patient directly; only the patient can inform people s/he is at CHA if the patient has opted out of the directory.