What is an appropriate action to secure documents containing PHI or PII?

To secure documents containing Protected Health Information (PHI) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII), shredding them using appropriate means is a highly effective action. This method ensures that sensitive information cannot be accessed or reconstructed by unauthorized individuals. Shredding effectively destroys the information, thereby mitigating risks of data breaches and maintaining compliance with privacy regulations, such as HIPAA, which require the safeguarding of confidential information.

Beneath the surface, practices like storing PHI or PII in shared drives can lead to vulnerabilities and unauthorized access, especially if those drives are not secure. Leaving sensitive documents in public areas can easily lead to breaches, as anyone could potentially view or take those documents. Sending documents through regular mail also poses significant risks, as it can be intercepted or mishandled in transit. Thus, the shredding of documents containing sensitive information stands out as the most responsible and secure method of handling PHI and PII.