Which situation represents an unlawful disclosure of protected health information (PHI)?

The situation where a copy of a prescription is thrown in the regular store trash bin represents an unlawful disclosure of protected health information (PHI) because it violates regulations regarding the proper disposal of sensitive patient information. When PHI, which includes any information that can identify a patient and relates to their health care, is not handled correctly, it risks unauthorized access and potential identity theft.

When disposing of any documents containing PHI, it is essential to follow established protocols, such as shredding the documents or using secure disposal methods, to prevent anyone from accessing that sensitive information. In this case, placing a prescription in the regular trash bin does not provide the necessary safeguard and could lead to unintentionally exposing confidential patient data to unauthorized individuals.

The other scenarios described involve storing and sharing information in ways that, while needing to be managed carefully, adhere to regulations when done correctly. For instance, keeping prescription records in a locked closet is compliant with privacy standards, and electronic sharing between pharmacies within the same store chain can be permissible as long as it falls under coordinated care for a patient. Shredding a prescription prior to disposal is also a compliance practice that protects PHI from unauthorized access.