1. What is health information and why is it important to protect?
2. What federal laws offer protection related to patient information?
3. What is the difference between privacy and confidentiality?
4. How is security related to privacy and confidentiality?
5. Who owns the patient health record and who controls the use of the information
within the record?
6. Describe the role of the custodian of health records.
7. Discuss the differences between a subpoena and a court order.
8. Give examples of two questions that a custodian of a health record can answer
at deposition or trial. Give examples of two questions that should not be
responded to.
Case Discussion
A patient has filed a $3 million medical malpractice lawsuit against St. Patrick Hospital. In
light of the patient’s litigious background and the facts of the case, hospital
administration is adamant that it is not liable. It has instructed its legal counsel to
proceed toward trial, where it may be absolved of liability.
9. Is the hospital’s decision to proceed toward trial a wise one? Why or why not?
10. What other options does the hospital have
