Health Information Management

CD-ROM medical record does not violate HIPAA

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, August 16, 2004

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

Patients who receive treatment at the Nebraska Medical Center can now receive their medical records on CD-ROM. The portable file, which contains identifying information, a list of medical conditions, allergies, medications, lab and X-ray results, and other diagnostic testing reports, can be used in any computer with a CD drive and the Internet, PR Newswire reports. And because the medical center provides the CD to the patient and the patient only, the patient's privacy is protected and the facility complies with HIPAA.

"Often, patients who become ill when away from their regular physician receive less than optimal care because the treating physician has limited knowledge," Thomas Tape, MD, internal medicine physician at the Nebraska Medical Center told PR Newswire. "The treating physician with access to the CD would be able to see virtually the same information as the local physician with full access to the computerized medical record."

Patients can opt to assign a password to access the information, but so far, most have chosen not to in case they become incapacitated and cannot remember or provide the password to the physician.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • Medical Records Briefing

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentaion can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Weekly Monitor

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular

Related Articles