Difference between revisions of "EHR Document Corrections"
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| − | + | The [[EMR|electronic health record (EHR)]] is the legal and business record of the healthcare organization. Information in the EHR is relied upon to accurately and safely treat patients, as well as to carry out business including obtaining medical history for providers, billing purposes, and organizational reporting needs. Therefore, maintaining accurate information in the EHR is important. With a variety of staff members accessing the health record, errors can be expected to occur. When they do occur, it is important for an organization to have clearly defined policies and procedures for addressing these errors. In addition, it is the patient’s right to request amendment of information they find to be inaccurate. | |
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Altering electronic documents degrades the integrity of the record and careful consideration should be taken to ensure the necessity of corrections and adherence to the policies and procedures. Correction processes should be as transparent as possible and clearly identify altered records as such. This transparency is necessary when called upon to speak to the integrity of the documentation for audit and litigation purposes. | Altering electronic documents degrades the integrity of the record and careful consideration should be taken to ensure the necessity of corrections and adherence to the policies and procedures. Correction processes should be as transparent as possible and clearly identify altered records as such. This transparency is necessary when called upon to speak to the integrity of the documentation for audit and litigation purposes. | ||
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==Guidelines== | ==Guidelines== | ||
===Developing Policies and Procedures=== | ===Developing Policies and Procedures=== | ||
| − | Each healthcare organization is responsible for determining their own policies and procedures for document corrections, amendments, and deletions. These policies and procedures should be in line with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) | + | Each healthcare organization is responsible for determining their own policies and procedures for document corrections, amendments, and deletions. These policies and procedures should be in line with the [http://www.ahima.org/ American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)] guidelines, [[Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)|Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)]] standards, and good judgment on the part of the Health Information Management administrator. Policies and procedures will vary depending on the organization and the EHR capabilities for managing alterations. |
===HIM Involvement=== | ===HIM Involvement=== | ||
| − | + | Specially trained health information management (HIM) staff who are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the legal health and business record should be responsible for assisting staff with document corrections. This will ensure that the chart is reviewed by a second party to confirm that the change is justified and the requested course of action is the most sound. This is in line with [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2010-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2010-title45-vol1-sec164-312.pdf HIPAA standard for integrity 45 CFR 164.312(c)(1)] which protects health information from improper alteration or destruction. Alterations made to documents by HIM staff must be identifiable in audit logs for as long as the health records are maintained. | |
| − | + | ||
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===Types of Corrections=== | ===Types of Corrections=== | ||
====Addendums==== | ====Addendums==== | ||
| − | Addendums add omitted information to an existing document without altering the original document. | + | Addendums add omitted information to an existing document without altering the original document. |
| + | |||
| + | Example: Foot pain was not mentioned in original document. Addendum to original document notes that patient complained of pain in their left foot, rating pain as 3 out of 10 and a contusion was noted. No history of foot pain and patient indicated contusion followed dropping a box on the foot while moving. | ||
====Amendments==== | ====Amendments==== | ||
| − | Amendments are used to clarify information presented in the original document without altering the original document. | + | Amendments are used to clarify information presented in the original document without altering the original document. |
| + | |||
| + | Example: Amended documentation clarifies that the reference to “foot” means patient’s left foot. | ||
====Corrections==== | ====Corrections==== | ||
Corrections change the information in the document. | Corrections change the information in the document. | ||
| − | Example: | + | Example: Original document noted that the patient complained of pain in the right foot. Corrected information clarifies that pain was in the left foot. |
====Deletions==== | ====Deletions==== | ||
Deletions eliminate incorrect information from a closed/finalized document. | Deletions eliminate incorrect information from a closed/finalized document. | ||
| − | Example: A note was placed in the wrong patient’s chart so it is | + | Example: A note was placed in the wrong patient’s chart so it is removed from the incorrect chart. |
| − | ===Request Process=== | + | ===Request and Correction Process=== |
=====Staff Requests===== | =====Staff Requests===== | ||
| − | User requests for HIM involvement for alterations to the record should be in writing | + | User requests for HIM involvement for alterations to the record should be in writing via email or an online request form. Information necessary for alteration includes a minimum of a unique patient identifier, clear identification of the document that needs alteration, the specific reason alteration is needed, the requested type of alteration, and permission from the user to alter the document. This information along with verification of the necessity and validity of the alteration by HIM staff will help protect the user, the HIM staff, and the organization in the event of audit or litigation. Records of these requests should be kept for the same duration that the health records are maintained. |
====Patient Requests==== | ====Patient Requests==== | ||
| − | + | It is recommended that patient requests to amend their [[Protected Health Information (PHI)|protected health information (PHI)]] be in writing. This will allow clearer communication and proof of the request which should be retained for the same duration as the patient's health record. [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2010-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2010-title45-vol1-sec164-526.pdf HIPAA standard 45 CFR 164.526] covers rules for addressing patient requests to amend PHI. | |
| − | ===Correction Process=== | + | ====Correction Process==== |
| − | Addendums and amendments can generally be handled by the provider by adding a subdocument to the original document. All staff with EHR access should be trained of the appropriate uses for each of these subdocuments. | + | Addendums and amendments can generally be handled by the provider by adding a subdocument to the original document. All staff with EHR access should be trained of the appropriate uses for each of these subdocuments. |
| − | A system should be in place to “soft delete” documents. This means that a document will be removed from view in the patient chart but will be available if needed for future audits | + | |
| − | + | A system should be in place to “soft delete” documents. This means that a document will be removed from view in the patient chart but will be available if needed for future audits or litigation. This is also in line with [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2010-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2010-title45-vol1-sec164-312.pdf HIPAA standard for integrity 45 CFR 164.312(c)(1)]. Deletion of documents is a valid option when documents are entered into the wrong patient chart or the information contained in the document cannot be adequately addressed with an addendum or amendment subdocument or other means of correction and could affect future treatment or vital patient information. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | ====Corrections to Released Information==== | ||
| + | Additional policies are needed to address how corrections to previously released information will be handled. These procedures should include a system or tool to track or identify addended, amended, and altered documents. | ||
| − | 1. American Health Information Management Association. Amendment, Corrections and Deletions Technical Paper [Online]. 2011 Oct | + | ==References== |
| − | + | 1. American Health Information Management Association. Amendment, Corrections and Deletions Technical Paper [Online]. 2011 Oct. | |
2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). | 2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). | ||
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/pagedetails.action?granuleId=CRPT-104hrpt736&packageId=CRPT-104hrpt736 | http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/pagedetails.action?granuleId=CRPT-104hrpt736&packageId=CRPT-104hrpt736 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Submitted by Julie Byars | ||
| + | [[Category:BMI512-SPRING-12]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:05, 2 June 2012
The electronic health record (EHR) is the legal and business record of the healthcare organization. Information in the EHR is relied upon to accurately and safely treat patients, as well as to carry out business including obtaining medical history for providers, billing purposes, and organizational reporting needs. Therefore, maintaining accurate information in the EHR is important. With a variety of staff members accessing the health record, errors can be expected to occur. When they do occur, it is important for an organization to have clearly defined policies and procedures for addressing these errors. In addition, it is the patient’s right to request amendment of information they find to be inaccurate.
Altering electronic documents degrades the integrity of the record and careful consideration should be taken to ensure the necessity of corrections and adherence to the policies and procedures. Correction processes should be as transparent as possible and clearly identify altered records as such. This transparency is necessary when called upon to speak to the integrity of the documentation for audit and litigation purposes.
Contents
Guidelines
Developing Policies and Procedures
Each healthcare organization is responsible for determining their own policies and procedures for document corrections, amendments, and deletions. These policies and procedures should be in line with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) guidelines, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards, and good judgment on the part of the Health Information Management administrator. Policies and procedures will vary depending on the organization and the EHR capabilities for managing alterations.
HIM Involvement
Specially trained health information management (HIM) staff who are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the legal health and business record should be responsible for assisting staff with document corrections. This will ensure that the chart is reviewed by a second party to confirm that the change is justified and the requested course of action is the most sound. This is in line with HIPAA standard for integrity 45 CFR 164.312(c)(1) which protects health information from improper alteration or destruction. Alterations made to documents by HIM staff must be identifiable in audit logs for as long as the health records are maintained.
Types of Corrections
Addendums
Addendums add omitted information to an existing document without altering the original document.
Example: Foot pain was not mentioned in original document. Addendum to original document notes that patient complained of pain in their left foot, rating pain as 3 out of 10 and a contusion was noted. No history of foot pain and patient indicated contusion followed dropping a box on the foot while moving.
Amendments
Amendments are used to clarify information presented in the original document without altering the original document.
Example: Amended documentation clarifies that the reference to “foot” means patient’s left foot.
Corrections
Corrections change the information in the document.
Example: Original document noted that the patient complained of pain in the right foot. Corrected information clarifies that pain was in the left foot.
Deletions
Deletions eliminate incorrect information from a closed/finalized document.
Example: A note was placed in the wrong patient’s chart so it is removed from the incorrect chart.
Request and Correction Process
Staff Requests
User requests for HIM involvement for alterations to the record should be in writing via email or an online request form. Information necessary for alteration includes a minimum of a unique patient identifier, clear identification of the document that needs alteration, the specific reason alteration is needed, the requested type of alteration, and permission from the user to alter the document. This information along with verification of the necessity and validity of the alteration by HIM staff will help protect the user, the HIM staff, and the organization in the event of audit or litigation. Records of these requests should be kept for the same duration that the health records are maintained.
Patient Requests
It is recommended that patient requests to amend their protected health information (PHI) be in writing. This will allow clearer communication and proof of the request which should be retained for the same duration as the patient's health record. HIPAA standard 45 CFR 164.526 covers rules for addressing patient requests to amend PHI.
Correction Process
Addendums and amendments can generally be handled by the provider by adding a subdocument to the original document. All staff with EHR access should be trained of the appropriate uses for each of these subdocuments.
A system should be in place to “soft delete” documents. This means that a document will be removed from view in the patient chart but will be available if needed for future audits or litigation. This is also in line with HIPAA standard for integrity 45 CFR 164.312(c)(1). Deletion of documents is a valid option when documents are entered into the wrong patient chart or the information contained in the document cannot be adequately addressed with an addendum or amendment subdocument or other means of correction and could affect future treatment or vital patient information.
Corrections to Released Information
Additional policies are needed to address how corrections to previously released information will be handled. These procedures should include a system or tool to track or identify addended, amended, and altered documents.
References
1. American Health Information Management Association. Amendment, Corrections and Deletions Technical Paper [Online]. 2011 Oct.
2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/pagedetails.action?granuleId=CRPT-104hrpt736&packageId=CRPT-104hrpt736
Submitted by Julie Byars
