explain how the general duties for handling patient records differ between a records administration and a record technician
Sure! Let's start by discussing the general duties of a records administrator and a records technician when it comes to handling patient records.
Records Administrator:
A records administrator is responsible for managing and overseeing the entire patient records system within a healthcare facility. Their duties revolve around creating, implementing, and maintaining policies and procedures for efficient record-keeping. Here are some specific responsibilities of a records administrator:
1. Policy and procedure development: They develop and update guidelines for proper handling, storage, retrieval, and disposal of patient records.
2. System implementation: They implement electronic health record (EHR) systems or other record management systems and ensure their efficient operation.
3. Training and supervision: They train staff on proper record-keeping practices and regularly supervise their work to ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
4. Quality assurance: They conduct audits and quality checks to identify any errors or inconsistencies in patient records and work towards their correction.
5. Compliance with regulations: They ensure that patient records adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, including privacy and security laws (such as HIPAA in the United States).
Records Technician:
On the other hand, a records technician focuses on the day-to-day tasks involved in managing patient records. They work under the guidance and supervision of a records administrator. Here are some typical responsibilities of a records technician:
1. Record maintenance: They organize, file, and maintain patient records in both physical and electronic formats. This includes indexing, labeling, and creating an organized system for easy retrieval.
2. Data entry and verification: They enter patient information into the record system, ensuring accuracy and completeness. They may also cross-reference different sources to ensure consistency.
3. Record retrieval: They respond to requests for patient records from authorized personnel and ensure the records are securely and promptly retrieved.
4. Record updates: They handle requests for record corrections or additions, following established protocols to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.
5. Systems support: They troubleshoot minor technical issues with record management systems, escalating more complex problems to the IT department.
As you can see, while both roles involve managing patient records, a records administrator focuses on the overall management and oversight of the record-keeping system, while a records technician primarily deals with the daily tasks of organizing, maintaining, and retrieving patient records.