CHIME, AHA skeptical of disclosures rule

As patients gain more access to their digitized personal health information, providers are facing challenges in informing patients about how their data is being used and disclosed. The HHS Office for Civil Rights plans to finalize rules for accounting of disclosures as part of the HITECH Act, and the Privacy and Security Tiger Team is taking a survey to gather stakeholder input and make recommendations. There are differing views on the proposed rule, with some organizations asking for clarification and others suggesting that the rules be scaled back. Patient advocacy groups are calling for the standards to be maintained.