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Aesto Health AWS Breach Hits HHS Portal at 9.54 Million Patients Across 30 Provider Clients, Including Everside Health · Data BreachTheGentlemen Ransomware Group Threatens Nutex Health's 27-Hospital Network; Class Action Filed Days After SEC Disclosure · Data BreachOCR Settles with California Eye Care Provider Azul Vision for Failure to Provide Timely Patient Record Access — 55th Right of Access Enforcement Action · OCR EnforcementShinyHunters Claims Leak of 7.1 Million Baxter International Salesforce Records Including Patient PII · Data BreachCareCloud EHR Vendor Breach Exposes Medical and Financial Data of 345,000 Patients · Data BreachOptalis Management Solutions and Other HIPAA-Regulated Entities Disclose Patient Data Breaches Affecting Thousands · Data BreachFive Small Healthcare Organizations Disclose Patient Data Breaches: Family Medical Associates of Raleigh, Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Alpine Agency of the Midlands, Princeton Family Eye Care, and Others · Data BreachAesto Health AWS Breach Hits HHS Portal at 9.54 Million Patients Across 30 Provider Clients, Including Everside Health · Data BreachTheGentlemen Ransomware Group Threatens Nutex Health's 27-Hospital Network; Class Action Filed Days After SEC Disclosure · Data BreachOCR Settles with California Eye Care Provider Azul Vision for Failure to Provide Timely Patient Record Access — 55th Right of Access Enforcement Action · OCR EnforcementShinyHunters Claims Leak of 7.1 Million Baxter International Salesforce Records Including Patient PII · Data BreachCareCloud EHR Vendor Breach Exposes Medical and Financial Data of 345,000 Patients · Data BreachOptalis Management Solutions and Other HIPAA-Regulated Entities Disclose Patient Data Breaches Affecting Thousands · Data BreachFive Small Healthcare Organizations Disclose Patient Data Breaches: Family Medical Associates of Raleigh, Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Alpine Agency of the Midlands, Princeton Family Eye Care, and Others · Data Breach

A colleague from another office asked about a patient we both treat

If it's for coordinated care and you're both involved in treatment, limited sharing is usually OK, stay professional and minimal.

  1. 1

    Confirm they are part of the care team

    Verify the person is legitimately involved in the patient's treatment. If unsure, do not share until you confirm with your privacy officer.

  2. 2

    Share only what is needed for care

    Discuss the specific clinical question, not the patient's whole history. This is the heart of the minimum necessary idea.

  3. 3

    Avoid public or casual settings

    Have the conversation in private, not hallways, cafeterias, or text threads that others can see.

  4. 4

    Document if your practice requires it

    Some organizations want a note when information is shared for care coordination. Follow your local policy.

Important

If the request feels like curiosity rather than care coordination, say no and involve your privacy officer.

Related

Not legal advice. Follow your organization's policies and consult counsel for legal questions.