Question

The main purpose of documenting patient encounters over time and across multiple providers is to allow medical professionals to:

a. work within the National Health Information Network
b. keep records that relate to billing and accounting
c. share health information and provide continuity of care
d. None of the above answers are correct

Answer 1

The main purpose of documenting patient encounters is to share health information and ensure continuity of care, aiding in medical decision-making and patient treatment. Legal frameworks like HIPAA govern the privacy of these records.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main purpose of documenting patient encounters over time and across multiple providers is to share health information and provide continuity of care. This approach is integral to improving the overall quality of healthcare, allowing for the integration of a patient's medical history, presented symptoms, and treatment outcomes to create a comprehensive medical record. This record can then be used by healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, avoiding redundant tests and ensuring that each patient receives appropriate treatment.

In terms of the privacy of electronic health records, critical questions to consider include how to balance the costs of treatments and diagnoses, patient quality of life, and risks to individual privacy. Legal frameworks like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) already set standards for the protection of patient information, highlighting the severity and importance of maintaining confidentiality within healthcare.