Overview
While the primary focus of the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 is to ensure accelerated medical research and streamline the development and approval of new drugs and medical devices, it also includes legal requirements for health record security and confidentiality of patient information. Review the literature regarding the act, subsequent “Cures Rules,” and policy provisions that address patient rights. Then for this assignment, you will develop a health informatics evaluation report.
Part One:
Write a 2- to 3-page analysis addressing the following:
- Explain how interoperability and patient access to their electronic health record (EHR) is addressed in the act. Include specific examples that illustrate the need to make patient health information available electronically upon patient request.
- Evaluate the Rules restricting practices that intentionally interfere with or prevent the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information. What roles and responsibilities will health care providers, health IT developers, and health information exchanges have in information blocking?
Part Two:
Patient EHR rights are crucial for empowering individuals and ensuring their active involvement in their own health care. These rights allow patients to access, review, and understand their medical information, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate in discussions with health care providers.
Instructions:
- Use the evaluation template to identify EHR functionality and aligned patient rights according to the following measures:
- Empower patients to have control over their health information.
- Enable informed decision making and active participation in health care.
- Improve continuity of care and reduce medical errors.
- Enhance patient safety through accurate information exchange.
- Protect patient confidentiality and security of health information.
- Foster patient engagement and self-management.
- Facilitate care coordination and increase health care efficiency.