How confidential are your medical records?

In the age of connected computers, just how confidential are your medical records? Confidentiality is a cornerstone principle of medical ethics and it applies to every healthcare encounter in any clinic or hospital. For example, does a mother have a right to know that her teenage daughter had a doctor’s appointment and what was discussed? When celebrities are admitted to the hospital, since any healthcare provider unrelated to their care has access to the records, what keeps them from peaking? The assurance of confidentiality is essential for trust in the patient-doctor relationship. Your physician needs to know critical details in order to make the right diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate care. Without confidentiality, you would be reluctant to share personal information you would not want shared with anyone else. In nearly every medical office, the old paper file chart has been replaced by the EMR (electronic medical record). Everyone working in your doctor’s office (including other physicians and all staff) have access to your record. However, they are all trained not to access records that they have no business looking at. This situation also applies to hospitals where many more staff members have access to your records. We rely on the ethics of healthcare providers but one safeguard is that electronic medical records in private clinics and hospitals are able to track every time someone accesses an individual patient’s chart. Read: Dr. Davidicus Wong: The keys to positive change Outside of the hospital, electronic medical record systems are carefully regulated to prevent your confidential data from being shared with others. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. also requires physicians to safeguard the security of their networks to minimize the risk of hacks and other breaches. Who else has access to your records? With your written consent, third parties including lawyers, WorkSafe BC, ICBC and other insurance companies may be granted access. I recommend that you read any consent carefully before signing to ensure that it is limited by a specific time period and only those portions of your record relevant to the third parties. Other healthcare providers involved in your care will also have limited access to your records. For example, if I refer a patient to a surgeon, along with my detailed referral letter, I will provide a relevant summary of the patient’s medical record including significant past illnesses, operations, allergies and medications. There are specific conditions where your confidentiality can be legally breached. A court order. Physicians are compelled by law to provide records if there is a court order. The duty to protect. An example would be a serious risk of harming others or committing suicide. We are also required to report to authorities unsafe drivers, child abuse or neglect and certain sexually transmitted infections. Minors and others who rely on others to provide informed consent. However, a mature minor who understands their condition and the risks and benefits of a treatment, can consent to that treatment and their confidentiality is respected. Dr. Davidicus Wong is a family physician. This item originally appeared on his blog site.

How confidential are your medical records?

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