HIPAA: Medical Records For Patients & Pets
Insurance for pets might not need the HIPAA coverage just yet, but it is just as important as regular health insurance. This insurance will make sure all of your pet medical costs are covered and that they will also be clearly marked on their medical records. By keeping track of the scrapes and the scratches, you can also have proof that your husband’s dog is the mean one in the pet family. And that the dog really does pick on Fluffy an awful lot. Regardless of the number, or different kinds of pets you have, pet insurance is always a good idea.
HIPAA and medical records are becoming widely discussed topics as e-health records become a more viable solution for health information distribution.
When HIPAA Began
No matter how many HIPAA links you might visit, the HIPAA laws can be confusing. Back in 1996, the HIPAA laws were enacted in order to make sure that a patient’s privacy was ensured. While medical records were not unsafe before, anyone was legally able to look at the medical records, even if the patient did not allow them to. This led to a number of different problems in terms of people being turned down for certain jobs and others being discriminated in other ways. Even celebrities have been victims of mishandled medical information, causing certain medical events to be broadcast to the world, even if this wasn’t supposed to happen.
In order to limit the access to the medical records, HIPAA was enacted. But at the same time, these medical records needed to be accessible as well as private at all times. This act included stipulations that the records could be easily accessed, while they were to be monitored at all times to ensure no one was able to read them without the consent of the patient.
The Changing Medical Landscape
In today’s world of e-health and electronic medical records, the question of HIPAA’s effectiveness has become concerning. After all, if someone can hack into a computer system to get to the medical record information, it would seem that a Health Information Management system is even more vulnerable to problems with maintaining the integrity of the records. But since telemedicine seems to be a likelihood instead of a dream, it seems that the medical record system is going to have to work harder to keep patient medical records safe.
Keeping Medical Records Safe
The system of medical information management is going to need to be as secure as possible in order to ensure patient safety and privacy. Some believe that security systems in the electronic records will be helpful, but limiting access to these files also needs to begin at the department level. By limiting the people who can gain access to these records, it will be easier to determine who is giving out the information to those who request it.
HIPAA is a policy which hospitals and medical care centers must follow in order to maintain their certification. In doing so, they are also preventing any legal action from taking place against them. Since HIPAA is a federal policy, those who are found to be non-compliant are at risk of being taken to court for their actions, fined, and possibly even face prison time. Hospitals are routinely tested to see if they store medical records correctly, if they transport them safely, and whether they are only being accessed for true medical purposes.
Patient Responsibility and You
Your medical records are safer than ever in the time of HIPAA. But while the records might be safe, it is still up to each patient to make sure their hospital and medical health center is HIPAA compliant. By talking to the Health Information Management supervisor, a patient will be able to determine whether this is the case. And if not, the patient can ensure their records are not accessed unless permission is given or an emergency takes place.
Health information is sensitive and private. With HIPAA, the health information field is more aware of patient privacy than ever, and steps are being taken to ensure safety at all level. Even when medical records begin to go online, you can be assured your file is safe from prying eyes.