Final answer:
A health information exchange (HIE) can assist healthcare providers in obtaining patient records from other states, improving care quality. In framing policies for sharing electronic health records, one must consider treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy protection, all under the guidelines of HIPAA.
Step-by-step explanation:
A health information exchange (HIE) can assist a provider in obtaining a health record on a patient who is visiting from another state, resulting in more informed decisions about the care of the patient. The sharing of digital records among health providers is essential to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. However, the privacy of electronic health records remains a substantial concern. In developing policies, three critical questions must be addressed: How can we balance the cost of treatments and diagnoses with patient quality of life? What measures can ensure the protection of patient information while allowing necessary data exchange? And what protocols need to be in place to mitigate risks to individual privacy?
Legal frameworks like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) set standards for maintaining the confidentiality of patient records. These considerations are crucial when policies are being framed to support health information exchanges while safeguarding patient privacy.