What can be a consequence of improperly handling PHI?

Improperly handling Protected Health Information (PHI) can indeed lead to significant negative outcomes, which is why the identified consequence highlights important concerns within healthcare operations. When PHI is mishandled, it can lead to breaches of privacy and confidentiality, which may result in patients feeling distrust towards their healthcare providers. This lack of trust can severely harm the patient-provider relationship and negatively impact patient care.

Moreover, legal repercussions are among the most serious consequences of PHI mismanagement. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes rigorous standards for safeguarding PHI, and violations can result in heavy fines, legal action, and potential disciplinary measures against the involved staff or the entire organization. These consequences emphasize the critical importance of adhering to privacy regulations and properly training personnel in the handling of sensitive information.

The other options, while potentially positive outcomes in different contexts, are not directly related to the consequences of improperly handling PHI. Improved patient communication and expanded service offerings do not occur as a result of information breaches, and financial bonuses for staff are unlikely in scenarios characterized by mismanagement of PHI, as organizations might be focusing on rectifying the fallout from such breaches instead.