Electronic Health Records (EHRs)/ Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)
Updated On Feb 25, 2022
This information is meant to be used for educational purposes to inform providers, patients, and genetic service delivery stakeholders about genetics policy topics. Sharing of information, resources, or policy statements is no way an endorsement of stated positions by NCC.
Introduction
Our medical records are the foundation to documentation of care. They contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results. Electronic records allow multiple users to access records quickly. For example, your oncologist can easily see the records written by your dermatologist, rather than needing to request hard copies of records.
Because electronic health records (EHRs)/ electronic medical records (EMRs) contain health records, policies have been put into place to keep this information safe. For more information, please see this information sheet written by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). You can also visit our page on genetic privacy.
Legislation and Regulation
The HIPAA Privacy Rule established national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically. More information on HIPPA can be found on the HHS website.
Are you interested in learning what your state’s government or the federal government are currently proposing for either legislation or regulation? Check out Legislative/Tracking system for up-to-date information and subscribe to our Twitter channel to get the latest updates in your pocket.
Policy Positions
Organizations working within the genetics community (national genetic organizations, advocacy organizations, etc.) have published positions on EHRs/EMRs. Explore these position statements below.
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