What should you do if you observe a coworker violating patient privacy?

• A. Confront coworker publicly.
• B. Ignore it.
• C. Report to supervisor and follow incident reporting procedures.
• D. Post about it on social media.

Answer: (C)

Protecting patient privacy means handling any breach through the proper channels so it’s addressed quickly, accurately, and in a way that complies with laws and policies. When you observe a coworker violating patient privacy, the best course is to report it to your supervisor and follow the incident reporting procedures. This approach ensures the incident is documented, investigated, and managed by the right people, preserving patient confidentiality and enabling appropriate corrective actions. It also helps prevent further harm and protects you and the organization from liability, while keeping discussions confidential and within established processes. Confronting the coworker publicly risks exposing patient information, could escalate the situation, and does not guarantee the breach is properly investigated. Ignoring it allows ongoing harm and noncompliance with policy, and posting about it on social media spreads sensitive information and creates further risk.