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Code of Ethics on EMR

Healthcare providers need constant and reliable access to patient medical information whenever and wherever patients present for care. A system to standardize electronic medical records (EMRs), such as the National Health Information Infrastructure, would provide quick access to patient information.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has attempted to protect the privacy of medical records by enacting a Privacy Rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The regulations were designed to protect patients' identifiable health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.

Personal medical information needs more protection than HIPAA currently affords. Electronic medical records need comprehensive protection at the federal level.

Read the eHealth Code of Ethics at iHealthCoalition.org. What is your interpretation of this code of ethics on electronic medical records? What is the most important message of this code of ethics, and why?

Security of Client Information

Violations of the privacy of medical records have made the headlines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has attempted to protect the privacy of medical records by enacting a Privacy Rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

You have a job in the health information management department at a regional hospital. Your friend Maureen works for a local lawyer, Helen Williams. Maureen comes to your facility to pick up copies of record for one of Ms. Williams’s clients, but she forgot the client’s authorization form.

She is in a hurry and does not have time to go back to her office. You have known Maureen for many years and are good friends. Would you give her the record without authorization? Why or why not?