Protecting Patient Information: A Review of Legal Requirments and Recommendations for a RotaCare Free Clinic
Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis
College/School
College of Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Abstract
"Each year more than 1,000 free clinics nation-wide provide care to approximately 1.8 million people, most of whom cannot get healthcare elsewhere (Damell, 2007). Because they do not bill insurance companies for reimbursement or require payment by patients, free clinics' legal requirements guiding the protection of patient health information (PHI) can be unclear. Free clinics do not bill electronically and therefore do not have to comply with the federal privacy law, HIPAA. However, such clinics must adhere to state regulations. The aim of this paper is to simplify the process of understanding how privacy law impact free clinics' practice and protection of PHI through a review of pertinent legal information. The author developed a guide covering Washington State privacy laws and adapted three clinical forms for a specific free clinic, Lake City RotaCare, in Washington State. Advanced practice public and community health nurses who volunteer at free clinics have the responsibility to ensure patients at these clinics receive the highest quality of care, including protection of PHI, through community assessments, program evaluation, and patient advocacy. "
Recommended Citation
Busto, Elena, "Protecting Patient Information: A Review of Legal Requirments and Recommendations for a RotaCare Free Clinic" (2010). Master of Science in Nursing Theses. 62.
https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/etds-msn/62