Final answer:
Each state establishes a list of reportable events for which providers must submit patient information to appropriate agencies. This helps ensure patient safety and track public health data. Legal considerations, such as HIPAA, protect patient privacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Subject: Health
In the field of health, each state establishes a list of reportable events for which healthcare providers must submit patient information to appropriate agencies. This is done to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and to track public health data. Providers are required to report events such as unexpected serious and fatal adverse drug events within a certain timeframe, as well as other events on a regular basis.
For example, the FDA requires sponsors to review and report patient adverse drug experiences, and the FDA also receives voluntary reports through its MedWatch program. These reports, known as spontaneous reports, play a crucial role in monitoring drug safety.
It's worth noting that legal considerations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protect patient privacy and require strict confidentiality of patient records. However, in certain situations, contacting a patient's sexual partners may violate privacy rights if the patient's diagnosis is revealed.