Joe Researcher asks for access to patient records as part of a research project. What should
the health information manager do?
A. Say yes—access for research is permitted.
B. Say no.
C. Tell Joe to submit his request to an institutional review board if he doesn’t have
authorizations from all of the patients.
D. Say yes if the project seems important.
2. Dr. Jones runs a rehab facility and is treating a psychotic drug user. The patient suddenly
abandons the facility, leaving a note that he plans to kill his ex-wife today. The patient has
left behind his antipsychotic medicine that he must take every two hours. Dr. Jones
A. may not release this information because it’s confidential.
B. may release the information.
C. may release the information only if the patient authorized such release in advance.
D. may release the information after obtaining a court order first.
3. Judge Jones is hearing a motion to order release of substance abuse records pursuant to
a subpoena. The hearing
A. must be in open court because the records were subpoenaed.
B. may be in open court at the discretion of the judge.
C. must be heard in chambers and sealed from public scrutiny.
D. may be heard in chambers if the motion so requested.
4. The newspaper phones a rehab clinic and asks if Sally Celebrity is a patient and what is
her status. The clinic should
A. tell the newspaper the truth.
B. lie and say she’s not if, in fact, she’s there.
C. acknowledge her presence but give no details on status.
D. say regulations prohibit divulging patient-specific information.
5. Sally lives with her mother. She wants an HIV test but is afraid her mother or her employer
will somehow learn the results, especially if they have to be reported to health officials.
Sally should
A. lie to the doctors about her identity.
B. demand that the doctor sign an agreement indemnifying her against any damages if the
information is revealed.
C. have the test performed in a state that permits anonymous testing.
D. claim mistaken identify if the results are revealed.
Please understand that no one here will do your work for you. However, we will be happy to read over whatever you come up with and make suggestions and/or corrections.
Please post what you think.
1. The health information manager should choose option C. Tell Joe to submit his request to an institutional review board if he doesn't have authorizations from all of the patients. In order to access patient records for research purposes, Joe needs to follow the proper procedures and obtain the necessary authorizations. The institutional review board is responsible for reviewing research proposals and ensuring that the rights and privacy of patients are protected.
2. In this situation, Dr. Jones is faced with a potential threat to someone's life. Therefore, Dr. Jones may release the information. The safety of individuals takes precedence over confidentiality in such cases. Option B, may release the information, would be the appropriate choice.
3. The hearing regarding the release of substance abuse records pursuant to a subpoena does not have to be in open court because the records are confidential. Therefore, option C, must be heard in chambers and sealed from public scrutiny, is the correct choice. Privacy and confidentiality should be maintained during such hearings.
4. The clinic should choose option D. Say regulations prohibit divulging patient-specific information. Patient confidentiality is of utmost importance in healthcare settings. Therefore, the clinic should not disclose any patient-specific information to the newspaper.
5. Sally should choose option C. have the test performed in a state that permits anonymous testing. This way, her identity will be protected, and the results will not be reported to health officials or anyone else who could potentially reveal them to her mother or employer. Anonymous testing ensures privacy and confidentiality.