Examples of proper disposal methods of protected health information (PHI) may include:

Proper disposal methods for protected health information (PHI) are critical to maintaining patient confidentiality and compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The correct answer encompasses reliable and secure practices for disposing of PHI.

Clearing data using software products effectively removes information from electronic devices by overwriting it, which helps prevent unauthorized access. However, simply deleting files is not sufficient since traces can often be recovered. Therefore, utilizing trusted software for clearing electronic data ensures that PHI is not retrievable.

Destroying records through incineration or shredding is considered a best practice for physical documents that contain PHI. Both methods ensure that information cannot be reconstructed or accessed after disposal. Shredding, for example, transforms paper records into confetti-like fragments, making recovery impossible.

Collectively, clearing electronic data and physically destroying paper records ensure comprehensive protection against potential breaches of PHI. Hence, options combining these secure disposal methods make sense as effective practices for complying with healthcare privacy standards. The combination of these actions recognizes the diverse formats in which PHI can exist and emphasizes the importance of robust safeguarding measures.