![]() If you’re ever instructed to share healthcare information on behalf of a patient, ensure you have them sign a release form. Healthcare staff need a written copy on record with a signature of the signee (and relationship noted, if not the patient) to protect themselves and their patient. Verbal medical release agreements aren’t sufficient because they’re impossible to verify if there’s ever a disagreement. Depending on the scope of the document, the form may authorize releasing of specific types of a patient’s medical record or condition with the patient’s family, insurance providers, other doctors, attorneys, or anyone who is authorized to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient, such as a school, a parent or guardian, someone designated by the patient as a dedicated healthcare agent, and so on). of Health and Human Services, “An authorization is a detailed document that gives covered entities permission to use protected health information for specified purposes, which are generally other than treatment, payment or health care operations, or to disclose protected health information to a third party specified by the individual.”Ī release doesn’t simply give the healthcare staff permission to share information with just anyone. HIPAA regulations refer to it as an authorization.Īccording to the U.S. The form gives healthcare professionals permission to share a patient’s medical information with certain other parties. What does constitute a medical release form? ![]() This recap of both laws shows why a medical release form isn’t just the right thing to do for the patient, but a lifesaver for the provider…legally, ethically and financially. For violations of the Canada Health Act (CHA), the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) can refer information relating to the possible commission of an offense to the Attorney General of Canada, who would be responsible for any ultimate prosecution. Total settlements and civil financial penalties for 2021 were almost $6 million. See this recap of the levels of HIPAA violations, which as of this posting, can total up to $1.8 million per year and up to 10 years in jail. Under these acts, the respective government can impose significant sanctions on healthcare personnel who violate their rules and mishandle patient information. And Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have also adopted substantially similar legislation regarding the collection, use and disclosure of protected health information ( PHI ). Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have their own laws deemed substantially similar to PIPEDA. This data is called personally identifiable information or PII. providers feel that HIPAA is, PIPEDA covers much more - basically the inappropriate sharing of any personal data, health or otherwise, regardless of the type of private-sector organization. and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act ( PIPEDA ) in Canada are serious about patient privacy. Legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) in the U.S. ![]() Sharing a patient’s information with the appropriate persons during your busy day can be a daunting task, with definitive consequences to the practice and staff if you get it wrong. Especially in an increasing era of medical specialization and expanded circles of family and other caregivers, that’s more true than ever. ![]() First Lady often said (and wrote), “it takes a village” to care for a person. ![]()
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