American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification Practice Exam

According to HIPAA regulations, if a HIM clerk removes copies of medical records from another hospital, what would be the correct action?

1. Yes; HIPAA only requires that current records be produced.

2. Yes; this is hospital policy over which HIPAA has no control.

3. No; the previous hospital records belong to the designated record set.

4. No; those records are not included in the designated record set.

The correct answer is: No; the previous hospital records belong to the designated record set.

The correct response is based on the understanding of what constitutes a designated record set under HIPAA regulations. A designated record set includes medical records and billing records, as well as any other records used to make decisions about individuals. When a HIM clerk removes copies of medical records from another hospital, those records are part of that hospital’s designated record set and belong to that facility. According to HIPAA, a patient’s medical records are not simply transferable; they are owned by the facility that created and maintained them. As such, removing those records without proper authorization or without following the established procedures violates HIPAA regulations and ethical standards of health information management. Compliance with privacy regulations ensures that patient information is adequately protected and that only authorized individuals have access to medical records. The other options do not accurately reflect the legal and ethical obligations under HIPAA in relation to health information management practices. Understanding the foundations of HIPAA regulations is crucial in determining the rightful ownership and management of medical records.