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How state medical record access laws are working.
The Hospital Medical Staff
|August 10, 1979
Summary
Patients can now directly access their medical records in several states. Despite initial administrative concerns, these laws have not led to significant hospital issues or increased malpractice lawsuits.
Area of Science:
- Health Law
- Patient Rights
- Medical Administration
Background:
- Recent legislative changes in several states grant patients direct access to their medical records.
- Previous concerns existed regarding the potential administrative and legal ramifications of such patient access laws.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of state laws enabling direct patient medical record review.
- To assess the administrative challenges and legal consequences, particularly malpractice litigation, following the implementation of these laws.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hospital administrative reports and legal data following the enactment of patient record access laws.
- Qualitative assessment of reported administrative "headaches" and quantitative review of malpractice suit trends.
Main Results:
- Hospitals reported manageable administrative challenges, with no major operational problems identified.
- The anticipated increase in medical malpractice lawsuits did not materialize following the implementation of these laws.
Conclusions:
- Laws granting direct patient access to medical records have been implemented without significant negative consequences for hospitals.
- The fear of increased malpractice litigation has not been realized, suggesting these laws can be managed effectively.