Question

You are a Health Information Technician in a HIM department at General Hospital. One of your primary responsibilities is to process release of information and accounting of disclosures requests made by patients and other parties. Ms. Gabby Green from Green & Green Law Office called and requested portions of the medical record of her client, Emily Carey, for upcoming litigation. Per General Hospital policy, you ask for the authorization from the patient to release her PHI (protected health information). Ms. Green states that the patient already has one on file with the facility.

1. If the patient requested an accounting of disclosures, would the General Hospital be required to include the disclosure to Green & Green Law Firm in the accounting? Why or why not?

2. If Emily Carey requested an accounting of disclosures from General Hospital for the first time, what charge could the General Hospital assess her for this accounting?

3. What measures would you suggest General Hospital take to ensure the confidentiality and security of protected health information for release of information requests?
   

4. What policy(ies) or procedure(s) would you suggest General Hospital have in place to manage accounting of disclosures requests?

Answer 1

1) yes as long as they get permission from the patient

2)There should be no charge because the request falls within 12 months period it should be free of charge

3) create thorough policies and confidentiality agreements

Provide regular training

Make sure all informations are stored in secure systems

No mobile phones

Think about printing

4) All disclosures of a patient pH I should be documented so that an accounting of disclosures can be provided to the patient when requested

Date of disclosure, name of person organisation receiving PHI , address of person or organisation receiving PHI, brief description of PH I disclosed, brief statement to the purpose of disclosure must be documented for each disclosure