Which of the following is a HIPAA violation?

The situation where an administrator accesses a patient’s records out of curiosity is indeed a violation of HIPAA regulations. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, mandates that individuals’ health information is kept confidential and can only be accessed by authorized personnel for legitimate purposes, such as treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. Accessing a patient’s records without a valid reason violates the principle of confidentiality and can lead to severe consequences for the individual who improperly accessed the information.

In contrast, the other scenarios reflect appropriate handling of patient information. For example, when a nurse shares patient information with another nurse for treatment purposes, it is considered a necessary part of care coordination and falls within the permissible uses under HIPAA. Similarly, a doctor discussing a patient’s treatment with a family member, provided there is permission, aligns with HIPAA’s guidelines regarding communication with authorized individuals. Lastly, a pharmacy providing medication as prescribed also adheres to HIPAA regulations, as it involves the delivery of care based on the patient’s health needs and the prescribed treatment plan.