What should the CNA do next?

Question

ACTION ONE
Will should immediately report the incident to the office manager.
ACTION TWO
Will should tell the receptionists to ask the waiting room patient to keep the information she overheard confidential.
ACTION THREE
Will should go back to his work.

Answer 1

ACTION ONE
Will should immediately report the incident to the office manager.
FOR THE PATIENT
The patient’s privacy was preserved to the best of the abilities of the practice, once the mistake was reported. The patient was spared embarrassment, and the patient’s friend kept her word (and her silence) once asked by the office manager.
FOR THE PRACTICE
The practice retained the goodwill of both the patient and the patient’s friend. Additionally, the practice avoided legal and civil penalties for the breach of confidentiality and any negative publicity or loss of business that might have resulted from the legal issues.
FOR THE EMPLOYEE
The practice retained the goodwill of both the patient and the patient’s friend. Additionally, the practice avoided legal and civil penalties for the breach of confidentiality and any negative publicity or loss of business that might have resulted from the legal issues.
FOR THE EMPLOYEE
The CNA received praise in his employment record for his swift and proper response when witnessing the violation of confidentiality. The receptionists were reprimanded and placed on probation, thus ensuring their compliance with privacy practices for the duration of their employment. There were no legal or civil entanglements for them.