Ask the expert: A patient whom we cared for on our unit last week has been readmitted to another unit in the hospital. Can we access the patient's information through our EMR system to get an update on her condition?
HIM Connection, March 4, 2008
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A: Neither curiosity nor concern are acceptable reasons to access a patient's protected health information. You must restrict your access to that which you need to perform your job. If you want to express your concern for the patient, you must follow the same guidelines that apply to any other private citizen.
Chris Simons, RHIA, director of HIMS and privacy officer for Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook, ME, answered this question.
Editor's note: This Q&A was adapted from an article in the March 2008 issue of Medical Records Briefing. For more information, visit http://www.hcpro.com/content/205680.cfm.
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