Health Information Management

Web site gives families access to patient information, doesn't violate HIPAA

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, June 14, 2004

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After their experience caring for their severely ill son, a Chicago couple developed  a Web-based company that facilitates patient communication with friends and family-without stepping on HIPAA's toes, the Chicago Tribune reported June 7.

The couple built TLContact's CarePages, a password-secure Web site that allows patients and their families to post information such as the patient's status and visiting hours, as well as receive inquiries and messages from loved ones, the Tribune says.

"Patient page" companies like Carepages contract with hospitals so families receive the service free of charge. Users sign up at the hospital and give visitors the site's password. Because patients sign up for the service and the Web pages are not covered entities, the service does not violate HIPAA, according to the Tribune.



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