As healthcare advances, 
how patient information is stored and shared has also evolved. With the rise of electronic medical records, patients’ health information is more accessible and easier to communicate between healthcare providers than ever before. However, this also means that patient information and security are at a higher risk of being compromised. Therefore, patients must take steps to protect and secure their health records. This article will explore why you should want to protect your health records.
Privacy Concerns
The primary reason patients should want to protect their health records is privacy. Health records contain sensitive information, including personally identifying information, medical history, and medication history. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be used for identity theft or insurance fraud. In addition, many people feel that their medical history is a private matter they do not want to share with anyone other than their healthcare provider.
Prevent Medical Errors
By protecting their health records, patients can help prevent medical errors. If a patient’s medical history is incomplete or incorrect, it can lead to a misdiagnosis or a wrong treatment plan. This is especially important for patients with chronic conditions who see multiple healthcare providers. Patients can receive the best possible care by ensuring that all healthcare providers have access to the same medical history.
Better Access to Care
Another reason to protect health records is to ensure patients have better care access. By sharing their medical history with their healthcare provider, patients can help their provider make more informed decisions about their treatment. Some healthcare providers may be more willing to prescribe specific treatments if they can access a patient’s medical history. This can lead to better outcomes and a better patient experience.
Legal Protection
Protecting health records can also provide legal protection for patients. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, having complete and accurate health records can be critical in proving a patient’s case. If a healthcare provider is negligent or makes a mistake that harms the patient, having complete and accurate health records can be used as evidence to support the patient’s claim.
Better Research and Public Health
Finally, protecting health records can help advance research and public health efforts. Medical researchers use health records to study disease patterns and develop new treatments. By safeguarding their health records, patients can contribute to these efforts and help improve healthcare for everyone.
Protecting health records is essential for patients. By doing so, patients can ensure their privacy, prevent medical errors, receive better access to care, gain legal protection, and contribute to better research and public health efforts. Patients should actively protect their health records by securing them by asking questions about how their information is stored and shared, monitoring their medical bills and insurance statements for suspicious activity, and reporting any health information breaches. By working with healthcare providers and other stakeholders, patients can help ensure their health information is safe and secure.
The Directive Health Team has many industry experts working behind the scenes to ensure our products and services are safe and secure. Your personal information and electronic health records are safe with us. If you want to read more on this topic, please check out our previous posts here and here.
