The patient brings suit against a health care provider. In which ways would the nurse expect this action will affect the confidentiality of the patient's medical record?
A) The confidentiality of the record will remain intact.
B) The patient's attorney will have access to the information in the record.
C) The record loses confidentiality and is discoverable by any interested party.
D) The record will be released to the defendant's attorney.
E) Only the judge will have full access to the medical record.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: As being the primary source to describe the course of the patient's evaluation, treatment, and change in condition, the medical record is a discoverable record.
Rationale 2: The patient's attorney must have access to this information in order to pursue the lawsuit.
Rationale 3: Information in the medical record is not discoverable to anyone who is not involved in the suit.
Rationale 4: The defendant's attorney will have access to the medical record.
Rationale 5: Others other than the judge must have access to the medical record to establish and defend the suit.

The Patient Brings Suit Against a Health Care Provider