Which item is NOT considered confidential information?

Which item is NOT considered confidential information?

• A. The identity of a deceased person before next of kin has been notified
• B. Suspect information
• C. Names, addresses and telephone numbers
• D. Patient information

Answer: (B)

In emergency communications, information that must be kept private is anything that could reveal personal health or private details about individuals. Patient information is protected by confidentiality rules, so sharing medical data with unauthorized people is inappropriate. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers are personal identifiers, and releasing them without a need-to-know can invade privacy. The identity of a deceased person before next of kin has been notified is also treated with care to protect the dignity and privacy of the family. Suspect information, however, is information about someone under investigation that is often shared with the public or other agencies to aid safety and investigation, and it isn’t treated as confidential in the same way as medical or highly sensitive personal data. Therefore, the item not considered confidential is suspect information.

In emergency communications, information that must be kept private is anything that could reveal personal health or private details about individuals. Patient information is protected by confidentiality rules, so sharing medical data with unauthorized people is inappropriate. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers are personal identifiers, and releasing them without a need-to-know can invade privacy. The identity of a deceased person before next of kin has been notified is also treated with care to protect the dignity and privacy of the family. Suspect information, however, is information about someone under investigation that is often shared with the public or other agencies to aid safety and investigation, and it isn’t treated as confidential in the same way as medical or highly sensitive personal data. Therefore, the item not considered confidential is suspect information.