SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hipaa-phi-any-form
Does HIPAA protect patient information that is spoken out loud, or only paper and computer records?
All forms: spoken, paper and electronic.
- Spoken, paper and electronic information ✔
- Only electronic records
- Only paper and electronic records
Why: Protected health information (PHI) is identifiable health information in any form or medium. A comment at the nurses' station is protected just like a chart or a database.
Huh, didn't know that: Health information counts whether it is oral or recorded, and it covers past, present and future health and payment.
Why are secrets never safe on a farm? The potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears.
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References
Answer: Spoken, paper and electronic information. Protected health information (PHI) is identifiable health information in any form or medium. A comment at the nurses' station is protected just like a chart or a database.
- 45 CFR 160.103 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-160/subpart-A/section-160.103
Transmitted by electronic media; (ii) Maintained in electronic media; or (iii) Transmitted or maintained in any other form or medium.
Checked 2026-10-10. - 45 CFR 160.103 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-160/subpart-A/section-160.103
including genetic information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium
Checked 2026-10-10.
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