Informatics In Healthcare

Sample Solution

   

If a patient approached me after her consultation with her physician and asked me to make changes to her EHR, I would tell her that it is possible to make changes to her EHR, but there are some things she needs to know.

First, I would explain to her that the HIPAA Privacy Rule gives patients the right to access and correct their medical records. This means that she has the right to request that any incorrect information in her EHR be corrected.

Full Answer Section

    Second, I would explain to her that the HIPAA Security Rule requires healthcare providers to take steps to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient health information. This means that I would need to verify her identity before making any changes to her EHR. I would also need to make sure that the changes she is requesting are accurate and necessary. Third, I would explain to her that once I make the changes to her EHR, I will need to create an audit trail to document who made the changes and when. This is to ensure that the integrity of her EHR is maintained. Reasons for Responding in This Way My reasons for responding to the patient in the way I describe are as follows:

• To protect the patient's right to access and correct her medical records.
• To comply with the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.
• To maintain the integrity of the patient's EHR.

Legal Requirements Related to EHRs The HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules are two federal laws that regulate the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI). PHI is any information that can be used to identify an individual and that relates to their health, including their medical history, lab results, and insurance information. The HIPAA Privacy Rule gives patients the right to access and correct their PHI. This right is known as the right to amend. To exercise their right to amend, patients must submit a written request to their healthcare provider. The healthcare provider must then respond to the request within 60 days. The HIPAA Security Rule requires healthcare providers to take steps to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI. This includes measures to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of PHI. Conclusion Patients have the right to access and correct their PHI. Healthcare providers must comply with this right and take steps to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI. In the scenario described above, I would tell the patient that it is possible to make changes to her EHR, but there are some things she needs to know. I would explain to her her rights under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, the requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule, and the audit trail process. I would also verify her identity and make sure that the changes she is requesting are accurate and necessary before making any changes to her EHR.