Which violation might occur if a healthcare worker mistakenly discloses patient information without malice?

The scenario presented involves a healthcare worker who unintentionally discloses patient information without any malicious intent. This aligns with the concept of unknowing violations, which occur when an individual inadvertently breaches the HIPAA Privacy Rule due to a lack of knowledge or awareness regarding the privacy regulations.

In the case of unknowing violations, the person may not have had training or understanding of the laws surrounding patient information confidentiality, and thus, their actions do not stem from any ill intent, but rather from an oversight or misunderstanding. This highlights the importance of proper training and education in HIPAA compliance for healthcare workers, so they can effectively safeguard patient information.

Other options involve more severe categories of violations or imply intentional wrongdoing or failure to correct known issues, which do not apply in this situation since the disclosure was made mistakenly. Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing the varying degrees of violations under HIPAA and ensuring appropriate responses and training mechanisms are in place to minimize such occurrences.