Information Access
Apply policies and procedures surrounding issues of access and disclosure of protected health information. Analyze the following scenarios to determine who can appropriately access health information.
1. Mrs. John Smith is requesting the emergency room records from last week of her daughter, Katy. Mrs. Smith is the noncustodial parent of Katy, who lives with her dad. Should you release the records to her? Why or why not?
2. Mr. Fred Mitchell is requesting the birth record for Amy, his birth daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell gave Amy up for adoption four years ago. Should you release the records to him? Why or why not?
3. Mrs. Lynn Olsen is requesting the lab results of her husband, Tim. She has a note. signed by him, giving his permission for her to have the records. Should you release the records to her? Why or Why not?
4. An investigator from the Health and Human Services department is conducting an audit of patient records and has provided a list of records that they want to review. Should you release the information to the investigator? Why or why not?
5. Dr. Rex Harrisson is requesting the medical records of Martha Flynn. He states he is a family friend and has been asked by Mrs. Flynn's son to review her last inpatient admission for appropriateness of care. Should you release the records to Dr. Harrison? Why or why not?