Dispute resolution. Planning for disputed information in EHRs and PHRs.

A perfect storm is the convergence of factors that result in an unanticipated and very serious situation. Health data may be heading for one. The migration to electronic health records (especially those that merge data from different sources), the emergence of a patient health data rights movement, and the continued lack of standardization in healthcare data and documentation are converging toward what some believe will be a perfect storm of consumer requests, complaints, and disputes involving the accuracy and quality of their personal health information. It seems clear that electronic record systems will need to provide a means of communication and negotiation between consumers and providers when issues arise regarding the quality of health information. such means will also help improve data quality and assist covered entities in complying with HIpAA regulations that grant consumers the right to amend their health information. [Authors, above: are only providers affected here? can payers and other healthcare entities expect an increase in questions and requests?] A Convergence of Forces previously, the inconvenience associated with accessing paper-based health records from a variety of fragmented sources has left patients typically unaware of what information was contained in their medical records, let alone its accuracy or completeness. even after the implementation of the HIpAA privacy rule—in which individuals were granted the legal right to receive copies and challenge the accuracy of their health records—the frequency with which most HIm professionals received such requests ranged from rare to never. However, as patients begin to gain access to the information in their providers' electronic health records (eHrs) or collect and manage their own personal health records (pHrs) through online sources such as Google Health or microsoft Health Vault, this is likely to change. public and private initiatives are also furthering the change. patient access to personal health information is a recognized part of the effort to improve health outcomes, and it is a criteria for the " meaningful use " of health It as defined in incentive programs in the American reinvestment and recovery Act. patient access is regarded as allowing patients to become more active participants in their own healthcare, which can lead to the desired outcome of higher quality and lower cost. The rise of social networking and environments such as Health 2.0 reflect important trends that are enabling and encouraging patients to take control of their health. Assuming greater control of their health inevitably also …