Which practice would violate safeguards for PHI?

Which practice would violate safeguards for PHI?

• A. Lock your screen when away
• B. Sharing your password with a trusted coworker
• C. Use strong passwords
• D. Log off after using the system

Answer: (B)

Maintaining strict access controls to PHI means only authorized individuals with unique credentials can access patient information. Sharing a password with a coworker breaks that control, because it allows multiple people to access the system under one entry, makes it impossible to tell who accessed PHI, and increases the risk of a breach. It violates policies that require passwords to be kept confidential and tied to a single user. In contrast, locking your screen when away, using strong passwords, and logging off after using the system are all protective measures that help prevent unauthorized access to PHI.

Maintaining strict access controls to PHI means only authorized individuals with unique credentials can access patient information. Sharing a password with a coworker breaks that control, because it allows multiple people to access the system under one entry, makes it impossible to tell who accessed PHI, and increases the risk of a breach. It violates policies that require passwords to be kept confidential and tied to a single user. In contrast, locking your screen when away, using strong passwords, and logging off after using the system are all protective measures that help prevent unauthorized access to PHI.