Patient Confidentiality with Electronic Health Records

A major problem with the EHR system is patient confidentiality. The use of these systems is the best, but patients' personal and medical information may be exposed to unauthorized personnel. It is estimated that 150 different medical professionals can obtain patient records during hospitalization (Kreuser, 2007). The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets domestic standards to protect personal health information ("2014 Summary").

Confidentiality is the basic principle of health care. The era of electronic medical records and electronic data processing, e-mail, fax transmission of patient information, third party payment for medical services, and sharing of patient medical care among multiple medical professionals and agencies should be maintained Has become increasingly difficult. Physicians need to store and transmit patient information according to the appropriate safety protocol to maintain confidentiality and comply with electronic communication best practices and the use of decision making tools. Confidentiality is to respect patient's privacy, ask for medical care, encourage frank discussion of the problem, and to prevent discrimination based on the condition. Doctors should not disclose patient's personal medical information (also called "privileged communications") without patient consent.

Electronic health records are digital or electronic records of patient health information collected within the history of interactions between patients and health care systems. Electronic health record keeps all information about patient's health. Information including age / gender, drugs and vital signs, past medical history, laboratory data, and radiology reports vary. The concept of medical report dates back to the 5th century BC and was developed by Hippocrates, a Greek doctor, also known as Hippocrates oath. Hippocrates explained the two main goals behind his discovery - medical records should accurately reflect the course of the disease 2. Medical records should indicate the cause of the disease. Currently, electronic health records first appeared in the 1960's. According to reports, at least 73 hospitals are beginning to use electronic medical record systems. The study concluded that electronic health records are the future