17. The University's Safeguard Policy states that "particularly sensitive health information" should not be discussed on cell phone or faxed and should not be left on answering machines. What is "particularly sensitive health information"?
Particularly sensitive health information means protected health information that is generally considered highly confidential including, but not limited to, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and communicable disease information.
Clarfication:
Some people interpreted FAQ 17 as a prohibition against the use of cell phones and faxes. The purpose of FAQ 17 was to define a term used in the University's Safeguard Policy. The Safeguard Policy permits the use of cell phones and faxes. However, because cell phone conversations can be intercepted and overheard and because faxes can be easily misdirected, they pose a security risk. Therefore, as stated in FAQ 17, providers SHOULD NOT use them to transmit "particularly sensitive health information" such as mental health, substance abuse or communicable disease information. Providers should also use their professional judgment and knowledge of their patients, to determine if other information might be "sensitive" to a particular patient and not transmitted in a manner that poses an undue security risk. Of course, exceptions should be made in emergency situations.
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