What should you do if you run out of time and cannot finish paperwork before leaving?

Taking personal health information (PHI) home is not permissible under HIPAA regulations. This rule is designed to ensure the confidentiality and security of patient information, as taking documents outside the workplace increases the risk of unauthorized access, loss, or theft of sensitive data. The core principle of HIPAA is to protect patient privacy, and taking PHI home could lead to serious breaches of that privacy.

Leaving the paperwork unfinished or asking a colleague to complete it may not be appropriate either, especially if it involves sensitive information without proper authorization. Instead, it is advisable to find a way to ensure the paperwork is completed securely within the facility or to communicate with your supervisor about how to manage the unfinished work without compromising patient confidentiality.

Opting to take printouts home for completion directly violates HIPAA guidelines, as it increases the potential risk of exposing PHI to unauthorized individuals. Therefore, the choice to avoid taking PHI home is critical to maintaining compliance with HIPAA and ensuring the safety of patient information.