AMA Adopts Policies on EHR Subsidies, Security, Open-Source Systems
This week, the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates adopted new policies regarding health IT security breaches, government subsidies for electronic health records and open-source EHR systems, Modern Healthcare reports (Robeznieks, Modern Healthcare, 6/17).
The group announced the new guidelines during its annual meeting in Chicago (HealthDay News/Modern Medicine, 6/16).
Security Breaches
The new AMA policy offers guidance for health care providers in the event that someone gains unauthorized access to a patient’s medical record. The guidelines call for physicians to:
* Inform patients of the security breach;
* Follow ethically appropriate disclosure procedures;
* Place the patient’s interests above those of the physician and medical institution; and
* Provide guidance to help patients avoid adverse consequences from the breach (Monegain, Healthcare IT News, 6/17).
EHR Subsidies
In addition, the committee adopted a policy urging the federal government to adjust EHR subsidies to account for inflation.
Members also drafted a resolution discouraging government programs from implementing funding structures that impose penalties on health care providers who have not adopted electronic prescribing systems.
Open-Source Systems
AMA delegates also called for the organization to support policies that increase the availability and affordability of open-source EHR systems (Modern Healthcare, 6/17).
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Filed under: EHR, Electronic Health Records, Health Care on September 29th, 2009
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