Medical Billing Blog: Section - HIPAA
Archive of all Articles in the HIPAA Section
This is the archive containing links to all articles written in the HIPAA section of our blog.
Click any of the article links below to read the entire article or browse another section to the right to read articles on another subject.
EMR Documentation Issues During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Physician News posted a great article discussing EMR documentation issues during the pandemic. As hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and staff are stretched to their limits, electronic medical record (EMR) documentation may suffer as a result of rushed, less detailed and error-prone entries. EMR workarounds are also expected to flourish. In the current medical malpractice climate where greater scrutiny can be placed on the EMR and audit trail over the medicine itself, it is very important to maintain an accurate chart. There are steps that can be taken now to prepare for anticipated documentation issues related to care rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most important recommendation is to …
Five ways interoperability plays a role in addressing the coronavirus epidemic
HealthIT Answers has an article outlining five ways data interoperability can play a pivotal role in addressing the epidemic… “Even as capacity restrictions force organizations to work without barriers—via drive-thru screenings, make-shift tents or by way of telehealth—real-time access to data can help streamline care management, whether fast tracking admissions or empowering patients at home through online portals. Here are five ways data interoperability can play a pivotal role in addressing the epidemic: Coordination of Care: COVID-19 provides a sobering reminder of just how much a fully integrated, scalable and interoperable healthcare infrastructure is needed. Coordination among first responders, public health officials, labs, acute, and post-acute facilities will be critical …
3 EHR Usability and Optimization Fixes That Address Burnout
“There are many positives associated with EHRs. However, EHR usability is a common negative among EHR users, which leads to clinician burnout. As the calendar flips to 2020, technological advancements in the EHR are key to addressing this epidemic that makes its way around medical facilities throughout the country. According to a study completed in a partnership between the Mayo Clinic and the American Medical Association (AMA), researchers found that EHR usability was largely graded an “F” when evaluated on a traditional letter grade scale, and that failing grade was strongly tied to high clinician burnout scores. “A new study issued today found electronic medical records (EHRs) – as currently …
61% of Physicians Say EHR Systems Reduce Clinical Efficiency
“EHR systems continue to fall short of provider expectations and detract from the joys of practicing medicine, according to a recent national survey by The Doctors Company. More than 3,400 physicians from 49 states and the District of Columbia offered their perspective on EHR technology, federal regulations, value-based care, patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs), and other aspects of the healthcare system. Survey respondents included surgical specialists, primary care providers, and nonsurgical specialists. The majority of respondents were 51 and older. Overall, the majority of surveyed physicians reported that EHR systems have had a negative impact on the patient-provider relationship, clinical workflows, and clinical productivity. Fifty-four percent of surveyed physicians stated their …
Patients Cannot File HIPAA Lawsuits
A U.S. district court judge in Washington, D.C., on June 15 dismissed a case by a patient who alleged Laboratory Corporation of America, or LabCorp, violated HIPAA, reaffirming the precedent that individual patients cannot file lawsuits for alleged HIPAA violations, according to GovInfoSecurity. Here are five things to know about the case: 1. The district court’s ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by a patient of Washington, D.C.-based Providence Hospital. According to the lawsuit, the patient underwent laboratory testing from LabCorp during a June 2017 hospital visit. During the visit, the former patient said she was instructed to submit medical information at a computer intake station that was allegedly within eyesight …
