Prior to beginning work on this discussion,

• Read Chapters 13 and 16 in your textbook.
• Read the book Patient Confidentiality.
• Review the webpage Patient Rights.
• Watch the video Clinical Record Keeping and Confidentiality in Practice.

Laws surrounding patients’ rights were enacted to create an environment within the health care delivery system that encourages patients to seek care. A patient’s right to ask questions promotes and encourages patients to communicate fully with their health care provider. A patient’s right to advocacy is also an important part of an improved communication process. Caregivers should consider themselves patient advocates; along with this, ombudspersons are also designated as patient advocates. They provide clarification regarding diagnoses and medication instructions, and help to reduce language barriers for patients. Patient confidentiality promotes patient privacy regarding the physician-patient relationship. This includes both verbal and written forms of communications electronic health records (EHRs). All patient information must be securely maintained per federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws and state laws. Patient information cannot be released unless authorization is provided by the patient or legal guardian. 

For this discussion address the following in a minimum of 500 words:

• Describe the importance and benefit of maintaining complete and accurate medical records for both the patient and health care provider.
• Identify how medical records can be falsified and stolen.
• Describe the possible repercussions to both the patient and health care provider when EHRs are stolen (i.e., ransomware).