Question

Real-World Case 9

Many new assisted living and memory care complexes are being constructed in north Florida due to a significant increase in the population of individuals over age 50. Local medical societies and HCO administrators are actively working with these companies to establish relationships for continuing care services. As director of HIM at a local hospital, Larry Green has been asked to develop a slide presentation on the EHR and patient portals to members of these assisted living complexes and active senior citizens’ educational centers. Since the audience has somewhat limited medical terminology and technology knowledge, he is tailoring the presentation to meet their needs. Within the presentation, Larry stresses the importance of the EHR and the benefits it provides to patients, such as increased communication between providers, enhanced continuity of care, and improved patient safety. He gives a brief overview and examples of the basic functions such as e-prescribing, CPOE, results management, and public health reporting. Larry also gives a demonstration of the patient portal for his hospital. He shows the audience how they can access their patient information, follow-up on lab test results, monitor their blood pressure or glucose levels, ask questions about prescriptions, request or change appointments, schedule educational or health-monitoring sessions, and address their insurance and account issues. Larry is aware that confidentiality is a topic of concern. Therefore, he addresses interoperability and secure transmission of data between HCOs and providers in his presentation. He also incorporates the HIPAA confidentiality and security information audience members receive when visiting their physicians. Larry concludes his presentation with a discussion of frequently asked questions, and then he allows a significant amount of time to address any other questions the audience may have.

1. What kinds of privacy and confidentiality features should patients be aware of?

2. Discuss how the EHR is making patients safer.

Answer 1

Some of the privacy and confidentiality features which patient should be aware of it are

• Whom and where the personal information shared
• The security system of the organization in protecting patient details
• HIPAA compliance of the organization. It is more secured in case if the organization is complaints with HIPAA
• The patient should be aware of when their personal information will be shared .Such as in case of ethical and legal issues or if there is any threat to the society or others.
• Shoukd be aware of their password and the way to maintain it securely

2.Sime of the ways the EHR is making patient safer are

• It enables to provide an error free medical care
• Accurate and timely care can prevent consequences and complications in the patient arising because of delay in care
• The patient can come out with their symptoms through personal health records to the provider directly, now and then and get preventive services.
• It helps to identify the potential complications of a treatment and take necessary steps to prevent it.