Frequently Asked Questions

Uses and Disclosures for Treatment; Payment; and H Incidental Disclosures What are examples where incidental disclosures are allowed assuming that reasonable precautions are taken? Health care staff may orally coordinate services at hospital nursing stations. Nurses or other health care professionals may discuss a patient’s condition over the phone with the patient, a provider, or a family member. A health care professional may discuss lab test results with a patient or other provider in a joint treatment area. A physician may discuss a patients’ condition or treatment regimen in the patient’s semi-private room. Health care professionals may discuss a patient’s condition during training rounds. A pharmacist may discuss a prescription with a patient over the pharmacy counter, or with a physician or the patient over the phone. 2

Uses and Disclosures for Treatment; Payment; and H
Incidental Disclosures

Health care staff may orally coordinate services at hospital nursing stations.
Nurses or other health care professionals may discuss a patient’s condition over the phone with the patient, a provider, or a family member.
A health care professional may discuss lab test results with a patient or other provider in a joint treatment area.
A physician may discuss a patients’ condition or treatment regimen in the patient’s semi-private room.
Health care professionals may discuss a patient’s condition during training rounds.
A pharmacist may discuss a prescription with a patient over the pharmacy counter, or with a physician or the patient over the phone.