What is Release of Information?

In healthcare, release of information is the process of disclosing patient data to a third party. As state and federal regulations such as HIPAA have strict patient privacy rules, a healthcare organization needs to have a thorough and documented process for the release of information.

Adherence to this process is overseen in many healthcare organizations by a release of information division within the medical records department. The advent of healthcare IT systems has also streamlined the process, as electronic medical record (EMR) systems will often have release of information functionality.

Steps in the Release of Information Process

The release of information process can be broken down into four main actions:

• A request is made to release patient data.

• Verify valid authorization (i.e., the patient signed off on the request).

• The third party to receive the information is validated.

• The information is shared with the third party electronically or on paper.

This process ensures that patient information is only shared with an authorized party. Protected health information (PHI) can only be released to third parties that the patient has previously authorized or to an appropriate healthcare provider, such as a physician the patient is being referred to.

Release of Information Duties for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers who deal with the release of information will facilitate the process and track all related activities to ensure compliance with policies and regulations. This often involves keeping a log of all events in the process, with date and time stamps for each step. The adoption of technology and health informatics systems helps ensure these logs are captured electronically.

How TempDev Can Help

TempDev’s team of NextGen consultants, developers, and trainers can help you implement, switch, or even upgrade your current EHR system. From dashboards, templates, and reports to revenue cycle consulting, automation, and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the tools you need to make the most of your NextGen EHR system. Our team is here to help you design, organize, and implement the whole system, with top tips and guidance based on industry best practices. 

Contact us here or call us at 888.TEMP.DEV to get the help you need working with the release of information process at your organization.