Patient Confidentiality
Definition
Confidentiality is the right of an individual to have personal, identifiable medical information kept private. Such information should be available only to the physician of record and other health care and insurance personnel as necessary. As of 2003, patient confidentiality was protected by federal statute.
Purpose
The passage of federal regulations (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) was prompted by the need to ensure privacy and protection of personal records and data in an environment of electronic medical records and third-party insurance payers.
Description
Patient confidentiality means that personal and medical information given to a health care provider will not...
[The entire page is 1599 words long]
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