You received a call from a patient's husband asking about her procedure. What is the appropriate response?

The appropriate response in this scenario is to tell the husband that you cannot disclose any details of the patient's appointment. This aligns with the principles of patient confidentiality and privacy outlined in both HIPAA regulations and California law.

Patient information is protected, and healthcare providers are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of a patient’s medical details unless the patient has provided explicit consent to share that information with others, including family members. Without such consent, disclosing any details could potentially violate the patient's privacy rights and lead to legal repercussions for the practice.

Encouraging patients to discuss their appointments directly with their family members, rather than doing so on behalf of the patient, helps to maintain trust and confidentiality within the healthcare-provider relationship. This principle is fundamental in ensuring that patients feel secure in sharing their health information.