Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

What level of protection is needed for confidential health information within an organization?

1. Maximum protection

2. Minimally required protection

3. Reasonable protection

4. Total protection

The correct answer is: Reasonable protection

The correct choice reflects the standard approach to safeguarding confidential health information within an organization. Reasonable protection indicates a balanced strategy that ensures adequate security measures are implemented based on the risk assessment of the data being handled. This approach takes into account the sensitivity of the information, the potential threats to that data, and the resources available to the organization. Reasonable protection includes implementing policies, training employees, utilizing encryption, and establishing access controls, all in an effort to mitigate risks to health information without requiring excessively stringent measures that could hinder operational efficiency. It recognizes the need for both security and practicality, ensuring that the organization's data protection strategies align with legal requirements, ethical guidelines, and the necessity to maintain patient confidentiality. Other protection levels, such as maximum, minimally required, or total protection, do not encapsulate the need for an adaptable response that considers both effectiveness and the unique context of an organization’s operations. Total protection, for example, may suggest an unrealistic standard that could impede necessary functions, while maximum protection might demand excessive resources. Minimally required protection fails to acknowledge the potential vulnerabilities and risks associated with health information, resulting in inadequate safeguarding.