Carson accidentally leaves a patient record open on his computer when he goes home. Several people in the office read his screen, including the janitor, a medical supplier, and other patients. Has Carson committed a HIPAA violation?

HIPAA requires covered organizations and their workforce to use safeguards that protect patient information from unauthorized viewing. Leaving a patient record open where the janitor, a supplier, and other patients can read it fails to protect that information, even if Carson did not intend to disclose it. Therefore, the best choice is “Yes because he failed to protect a patient’s records.”

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