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PPV: Handle medical record amendments as you move to EHRs

EHR Connection, May 19, 2008

The HIPAA privacy rule (section 164.526) permits patients to amend their medical records, and as more hospitals move toward an electronic health record (EHR) system, patient awareness of this right is increasing.

Patients are also becoming more astute about information that physicians are documenting about their past and present medical history.

“As we use electronic health records at the point of care, the idea is to engage the patient more in seeing what’s happening with their healthcare,” says Margret Amatayakul, MBA, RHIA, CHPS, CPEHR, CPHIT, FHIMSS, president of Margret A. Consulting, LLC, in Schaumburg, IL. “All of that is good, but as a result of this, the patient has become more aware and more inclined to request an amendment,” says Amatayakul. Some experts believe that increased patient awareness is one of CMS’ goals, and that mandatory EHR implementation is just one step toward accomplishing that goal.

Click here to learn more about EHRs and amendments to medical records.

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