What should the NP do when the MD at a SNF requests information about a transferred patient?

The appropriate action for the nurse practitioner (NP) when the managing director (MD) at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) requests information about a transferred patient is to share the information requested, provided that the MD is involved in the patient's care and has legitimate access to that information under HIPAA regulations. This situation usually involves a continuity of care where ensuring that the new care team has the relevant patient information is crucial for maintaining the quality of care.

When sharing information, the NP must ensure that it adheres to the privacy rules set forth under HIPAA, meaning that only the necessary and relevant information related to the patient's treatment and care should be disclosed. The sharing of patient information in this context is aligned with best practices in patient care coordination, allowing the receiving team to make informed decisions based on the patient's medical history and current status.

As for the other options, directing the doctor to look it up in the EMR could create potential delays in patient care and may not reflect a collaborative approach to patient management. Instructing the doctor to contact the department head could lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and hinder timely access to patient information. Refusing to share protected health information outright would not be appropriate if the MD is involved in the patient's case and has the necessary