Your reputation is built on trust, and when handling sensitive data, that trust is fragile. While you might see release of information as a back-office function, when a record request is handled improperly, the resulting patient dissatisfaction, security breach or public error can severely damage your standing. Getting medical record release right means prioritizing accuracy and meticulous quality control at every step.
In the latest fall issue of For the Record Magazine, HealthMark’s chief operating officer and general counsel Joe Licata underscores the importance of quality control in release of information operations and gives insights into developing a multi-tiered review process.
One thing all HIM professionals can agree on is this: The potential for error when releasing medical records is huge—and so are the consequences of noncompliance.
Compliance standards set by HIPAA and other regulations directly inform release of information requirements. Some of these standards establish firm deadlines (30 days is common but not the limit in all scenarios) and identify the clinical data that must be included or excluded from a record request (note: information blocking and 42 CFR Part 2, respectively).
The right quality control process is what stands between a smooth, compliant medical record release and a costly mistake, and the risks of skimping on quality control are high.
You can read the full article here.