While working in the front office, Meredith observes Jenny open the reception window and say to the patient sitting across the room, "Mr. Jeffrey, did your insurance change when you lost your job?" Meredith is shocked by what happened

What should Jenny have done differently? Does Meredith have any grounds for approaching Jenny about the incident?

Jenny should not have asked the patient that question within hearing distance of the general waiting area. Jenny should have called Mr. Jeffrey up to the reception window and discretely asked if there were any changes in his health insurance or taken Mr. Jeffrey into a private area to ask the question. Meredith does have the right to approach Jenny about this. It is every staff member's responsibility to make sure HIPAA regulations are being followed. Meredith should kindly and calmly approach Jenny and gently remind her that patient information should be verified in private.