Which statement best protects patient confidentiality in electronic communications?

• A. Disclose PHI in internal emails to keep team informed.
• B. Store PHI on personal devices with simple passwords.
• C. Do not disclose PHI in public or insecure channels; use encrypted/secure systems; follow institutional policies.
• D. Post patient updates on public social media to keep families informed.

Answer: (C)

Protecting patient confidentiality in electronic communications means using secure, authorized methods for sharing information and following established policies and privacy laws. The best approach is to avoid disclosing PHI through public or insecure channels and instead use encrypted or secure systems with proper authentication and access controls, plus adherence to institutional guidelines. Encryption protects data in transit and at rest, while secure systems provide accountability and limit access to those who need to know. Following policies ensures consistent safeguards across the organization and helps staff stay current on privacy requirements. This approach directly minimizes the risk of exposing PHI during electronic transmission or storage. In contrast, sharing PHI in internal emails, storing PHI on personal devices with weak passwords, or posting patient updates on public social media would expose information and violate confidentiality.