Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

What is required of physicians upon request under HITECH for disclosures of health information?

1. Providing a summary of medical history

2. Offering patients their records in any format

3. Accounting of disclosures made through EHR usage

4. Providing free copies of all medical documents

The correct answer is: Accounting of disclosures made through EHR usage

The requirements under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act include that physicians must account for the disclosures of health information made through Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. This means they must keep a record of all instances where patient health information has been disclosed to parties outside the treatment team, which is important for maintaining transparency and compliance with privacy regulations. This provision supports patients' rights to understand who has accessed their health information and for what purpose. The focus of HITECH is to ensure not just the security of health information but also the accountability of healthcare providers when sharing that information. By tracking and reporting these disclosures, healthcare organizations promote responsible data management and uphold patient trust. In contrast, the other options, while they may pertain to health information in various contexts, do not directly align with the specific stipulations of HITECH regarding the accounting of disclosures. While summaries of medical history, format options for records, and the provision of free copies play a role in patient access and rights, they are not federally mandated actions linked to disclosures under the HITECH guidelines.