An employee at health facility B searched the facility's encrypted Electronic Health Record (EHR) for patient X's medical record using patient X's first and last names. The employee is a nurse in the oncology department of health facility B. The patient is not under the direct care of the nurse, but the nurse has seen the patient in their unit in passing. The employee accessed patient X's entire medical history and disclosed the patient's medical history on social media. Health facility B is not a licensed facility.

1.Was there a privacy breach?

2.Is the breach reportable under California and/or federal regulations? [Please indicate and explain if any regulatory exceptions apply (e.g. HIPAA breach exceptions).]

3.To whom should the breach be reported (if applicable)?

4.What recommendations do you have for the Covered Entity as a result of the potential breach (e.g. internal policies, employee sanctions, etc.)?