What should you do if a colleague sends you a photograph of a patient with an embarrassing injury?

Reporting the incident to your supervisor or HIPAA officer is the appropriate response when receiving a photograph of a patient with an embarrassing injury. This action aligns with the principles of safeguarding patient privacy and upholding the standards set by HIPAA. Sharing or ignoring the photo could lead to further breaches of confidentiality, compromising the patient's dignity and violating ethical guidelines. Deleting the message may seem like a preventative measure, but it does not address the underlying issue of how the photo was handled in the first place or prevent potential misuse of patient information. By reporting the incident, you initiate a proper investigation and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent future occurrences and reinforce compliance with privacy regulations.