What should be done immediately if a breach of PHI is suspected?

Notifying the compliance officer is the appropriate immediate action to take if a breach of Protected Health Information (PHI) is suspected. This step is crucial as the compliance officer is typically responsible for overseeing compliance with privacy regulations such as HIPAA. They can initiate the necessary investigative protocols, assess the situation, and determine the appropriate response for mitigating any potential harm or violation. Prompt reporting ensures that the breach is addressed according to legal and organizational policies, allowing for timely notification to affected individuals and regulatory bodies if required.

In contrast, ignoring the breach would allow the issue to escalate and potentially cause further harm to patient privacy. Simply documenting the situation without taking action would not facilitate any immediate resolution or protection of sensitive information. Alerting the press would be highly inappropriate and could lead to additional legal repercussions and privacy violations, rather than addressing the breach itself in an effective manner.