Question

You overhear a conversation in the lunch room between two colleagues, Jim and Lana, who are medical coders. Jim and Lana are discussing the diagnosis listed on a patient’s file, and commenting on the patient’s past social history in relation to the diagnosis listed in the medical record. What would you do?

Answer 1

Patients medical history and records are meant to be confidential. The coders discussing on the diagnosis listed on a patient’s file and commenting on the patient’s past social history in relation to the diagnosis listed in the medical record is totally unacceptable.

I would make sure I warn them to desist from going against the ethics of the profession or make up evidences and report them to the relevant authorities.