Lab Assignment: Release Of Information
Release of Information
Unfortunately, there is still much misunderstanding when a patient wants to get information from their medical file. Many patients don't realize there are standard regulations that are set by governing bodies. Patients have rights under law to access their personal health information, and medical providers are not allowed to deny them those rights as long as certain conditions are upheld. However, this does not mean that medical providers are free to provide that information whenever and however patients desire. For example, a release of information should be signed before a patient is granted access to medical information.
HIM Professionals need to be aware of patient's rights to access. Read Your Rights Under HIPAA: Your Medical Records (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to learn more.
Here is a Right-To-Access Memo PDF that discusses patient's rights to access their information. (Optional)
Patient Access to Personal Health Information: Regulation vs. Reality
Read Patient Access to PHI to learn the differences between what is allowed by law and what commonly goes on sharing medical information with patients.
Information Governance
Read the Information Governance Offers a Strategic Approach for Healthcare article about the emerging field of "Information Governance."
Here is a video that explores the subject:
Youtube Video: Electronic Health Records: Privacy and Security (1:55).
Task
In the Release of Information Worksheet there are several scenarios where patients have asked for access to health information. Are HIM professionals authorized to provide it? And why/why not
Patient Release Information
Question 1: A patient asks a nurse if he can look at his health record. The nurse said she was allowed to do so only if he signs a request to release information. The man said he is providing verbal authorization to do so.
Question 2: A patient is comatose. The patient's caregiver wishes to access the patient's medical record in order to determine what medication he has received.
Question 2: A patient is comatose. The patient's caregiver wishes to access the patient's medical record in order to determine what medication he has received.
Question 4: 1.The mother of a two-year-old wants to know whether her child has received the measles vaccine. She calls the medical office to find out.
Question 5: A patient suffers a complication due to a hospital's negligence. The patient's lawyer seeks all information the hospital has pertaining to the procedures that were followed, and presents a letter from the patient authorizing the release.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.