Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Why must an NA be concerned about privacy if documentation is done on a computer?

1. Because it is common for computer hackers to target long-term care facilities.

2. Because the federal government is monitoring all computers in LTC facilities to ensure that HIPAA is followed.

3. Because residents will probably try to sneak a look at other resident's information.

4. Because the information is confidential and somebody who is not part of the care team could see the screen.

The correct answer is: Because the information is confidential and somebody who is not part of the care team could see the screen.

The focus on privacy when documentation is done on a computer is paramount due to the confidentiality of the information being handled. Health information is sensitive, and any unauthorized access or viewing can lead to breaches of privacy that violate regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). When information is displayed on a computer screen, there is a risk that someone who is not part of the care team could inadvertently or deliberately view it. This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that screens are not visible to unauthorized personnel and that care is taken to protect residents’ private information. Other concerns related to data security, such as hacking or monitoring by the federal government, while important, do not specifically address the immediate risk of confidential patient information being exposed on computer screens in a facility setting. Likewise, while residents may show curiosity about each other's information, the more significant risk arises from the accessibility of that information to unauthorized individuals in the environment where documentation occurs.