The establishment of the HIPAA Privacy Rule was a critical step in regards to the confidentiality of patients’ records and limiting unapproved access to these records. Intertwined with regulations that limit access to personal health information are provisions, which allow patients or their designated representatives to access their records.

1. The establishment of the HIPAA Privacy Rule was a critical step in regards to the
confidentiality of patients’ records and limiting unapproved access to these records.
Intertwined with regulations that limit access to personal health information are
provisions, which allow patients or their designated representatives to access their
records. Many people assume that their healthcare records are fully open to them
and copies can be obtained at any time. There is the general belief in this country
that documents and records, which individuals consider to be personal and private,
are not made available to others without the express permission of the person. It is
often taken for granted that such documents fall under the overarching protection
and rights provided to individuals in this country. Many have aligned this belief with
such inalienable rights as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Access to personal health care information also contributes to the protection of
privacy through regular monitoring. Many people review their health care records
only when they need to use them for a specific purpose such as school entry or to
check the dates that certain vaccines were received to determine if boosters may be
needed. However, it is important to review records regularly in order to make sure
they are accurate and to have anything there may be questions about clarified and, if
necessary altered, in a timely fashion. Inaccurate or unclear health related

2. information can create difficulties when people are unaware of such occurrences for
example when applying for health insurance or jobs where specific types of physical
activities are required.
Regular review of health records also has been shown to increase the individual’s
participation in their health care, compliance with medical regimens and better
patient-doctor relationships. However, many people aren’t aware of their rights to
obtain, review and request changes to their health care information. It is important
for health care providers to not only review hipaa rules and regulations with their
patient but to make sure patients are aware of their right to access their health
records, medical tests and lab results. Additionally, patients today have high
expectations regarding responsiveness of health care requests, so software
solutions used for hipaa compliance software should include functions with permit
quick and easy access to EHR’s. Software solutions should also be regularly audited
to ensure that information that can be externally accessed by patients is protected
and secured the same way as information accessed through internal portals.
Patients should be provided with instructions for securely accessing their health
records.
Business Address:
The Compliancy Group LLC.
55 Broadway Unit 684
Greenlawn, NY 11740
Contact No: 855 854 4722
Fax: 631 731 1643
Info@compliancygroup.com
http://compliancy-group.com