Which of the following describes the risk of improper handling of health information?

The risk of improper handling of health information fundamentally lies in the compromise of patient confidentiality. When health information is not managed appropriately, this can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, which violates the privacy rights of patients. This breach undermines the trust that patients place in healthcare providers and can result in significant emotional distress, reputational damage to healthcare organizations, and potential legal consequences.

Preserving patient confidentiality is a core principle of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which mandates strict safeguards to protect personal health information. Any failure to uphold these standards can result in serious ramifications, including identity theft or discrimination against patients based on their medical history.

While there may be a range of potential consequences for mishandling health information, including financial penalties or increased risk to data security, the direct and immediate risk associated with such actions is primarily the compromise of patient confidentiality.