Final answer:
Susan would find the meaning of 'permanent address' in the practice's Electronic health record (EHR), which includes administrative and clinical data about the patient, possibly clarifying whether it refers to a P.O. box or a street address.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Susan is collecting data from a patient and needs to understand the specific meaning of the field labeled 'permanent address' within the practice's documentation, she would typically find this information in the practice's Electronic health record (EHR). The EHR is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart and is a real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users. It includes all the important administrative clinical data relevant to that persons’ care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports.
The EHR can contain the patient’s residential and billing addresses, which could clarify what is meant by 'permanent address.' Since the sharing of digital records among health providers is proposed to improve the quality and reduce the cost of health care in the U.S., understanding the nuances of such records is critical to maintaining efficiency and privacy. The privacy of electronic health information is of paramount concern, and regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provide guidelines for the protection of such information.