How can patient confidentiality be maintained when using email?

Maintaining patient confidentiality when using email is crucial to comply with privacy regulations and protect sensitive information. The correct choice focuses on a proactive approach to physical security, which is essential when handling confidential data. Ensuring that computer screens are out of public view minimizes the risk of unauthorized individuals inadvertently viewing personal health information. This practice enhances confidentiality during email communication, especially in shared or public spaces.

In contrast, while options like encrypting the email certainly provide an additional layer of security, they focus on the content's integrity rather than the environmental factors that could lead to exposure. Using a personal email address can lead to significant security risks, as personal accounts often lack the same level of security measures that professional accounts provide. Lastly, limiting email usage to billing information trivializes the confidentiality concerns associated with other patient data, as sensitive communications often extend beyond simple billing matters. Thus, ensuring that screens are secured from public view directly addresses one of the most common forms of information leakage.