Patient Confidentiality: Privacy In High-Tech Era
Updated in accordance with HIPAA's privacy standards and rules. Modern medical recordkeeping has been transformed by computerized data-sharing, fax machines and e-mail into a marvel of increased productivity and a nightmare of confidentiality issues. The HIPAA privacy standards mandate specific new rules for handling protected health information. Anytime a patient's confidentiality is violated, hospitals and caregivers risk expensive, damaging lawsuits.
Key Learning Points
- Patient information stored in computer files
- Records transmitted outside the facility's system via e-mail
- Insurance company requests for billing information via fax
