CRIS Test 2nd Part – Questions With Proper
Solutions
A patient requests a copy of their medical records for an ER visit
that transpired last month. She fills out an authorization form and
shows you a picture ID. You pull the ER record and check the
patient's signature on the conditions of admission (COA) only to find
out that the signatures are the same name, but the handwriting does
not match. Why or why not would you release the records to the
patient? Correct Answer - The information should not be
released since this may be a case of identity theft. The appropriate
departments should be informed, and a red flag should be placed on
the file. The facility should then investigate the medical record
further. If you have knowledge that an authorization is invalid, it
should not be relied upon.
Law enforcement request a copy of a patient's medical record and
has a signed authorization from the patient. The police tell you that
it is for identity theft. Why or why not can you release the records to
them? Correct Answer - The records should not be disclosed to
law enforcement under these circumstances. With there being
identity theft involved, the records may not be those of the person
that signed the authorization form. It would be best to obtain a court
order before releasing the medical records.
You receive an authorization that is signed by the patient, but it was
not dated. Why or why not is this authorization valid and would you
or would you not honor the authorization? Correct Answer -
The authorization should not be honored. Date is a required element
of a valid authorization.
,You receive an authorization from the mother of a 12 year old son.
She is requesting a copy of his medical records where he was seen
for a sexually transmitted disease in which he signed for his own
care. Why or why not is she entitled to receive a copy? Correct
Answer - Depending on what state this took place in, the minor
would also have to sign the authorization form for the mother to
receive a copy of the medical record. When dealing with sensitive
information such as sexually transmitted diseases, some states allow
minors aged 12 and older to authorize the release of records; other
states start at age 13 or 14.
A 17 year old girl was seen at an abortion clinic where she had an
abortion. Later the next day she develops complications and goes to
the emergency room to seek further care. Her mother requests
copies of her medical records. Since the patient is still a minor, Mom
signs the release form. Why or why not is mom entitled to these
records? Correct Answer - The mom is not entitled to receive
copies of the medical records. Some states have specific laws that
protect minors seeking abortions. The minor would need to sign the
authorization form in order for the mother to be able to access the
records.
Jane's aunt passed away and Jane wants to get a copy of her aunt's
death summary. She fills out an authorization form and shows legal
proof that she is a beneficiary. Her aunt was married and there is a
surviving spouse. Why or why not is she entitled to get a copy of the
death summary? Correct Answer - Being a beneficiary does not
provide access to a decease patient's records. The best practice
would be to have the surviving spouse sign an authorization form
allowing Jane to receive copies of the medical record.
John is the middle child of three siblings. His mother is the widow of
his deceased father. John would like to get a copy of his father's
medical record and has filled out an authorization form. Why or why
, not is he entitled to get a copy of his father's records? Correct
Answer - John is not entitled to receive copies of his father's
medical record. The mother would need to provide proof of identity
and sign an authorization form in order for John to receive copies of
his father's medical record. Also, the scenario does not state how old
John is and he may be a minor. However, if John is an adult and
resides in a state whereby state law allows access to the records of a
deceased patient by the children of the deceased, he would indeed
be allowed access
The police request a copy of a patient's medical record who was
involved in a traffic collision. The patient has given consent to the
police for these records. The medical report shows that the patient
had been drinking. Why or why not are these records protected?
Correct Answer - Yes, the records may be released, since the
patient gave consent to release the records to the police.
A patient presents to the HIM Department requesting information
about a recent biopsy. The patient says he wants to know details
about the procedure and specifics regarding the specimen removed.
The patient should be advised to request a copy of the? Correct
Answer - Operative and Pathology Report
Some attorneys send a courtesy deposition letter prior to issuing a
subpoena. Can you disclose information without patient
authorization if you have the deposition letter prior to receiving the
subpoena? Correct Answer - NO
If a patient completes an authorization form, can they simply put "at
the request of the patient" as a disclosure purpose? Correct
Answer - YES
Solutions
A patient requests a copy of their medical records for an ER visit
that transpired last month. She fills out an authorization form and
shows you a picture ID. You pull the ER record and check the
patient's signature on the conditions of admission (COA) only to find
out that the signatures are the same name, but the handwriting does
not match. Why or why not would you release the records to the
patient? Correct Answer - The information should not be
released since this may be a case of identity theft. The appropriate
departments should be informed, and a red flag should be placed on
the file. The facility should then investigate the medical record
further. If you have knowledge that an authorization is invalid, it
should not be relied upon.
Law enforcement request a copy of a patient's medical record and
has a signed authorization from the patient. The police tell you that
it is for identity theft. Why or why not can you release the records to
them? Correct Answer - The records should not be disclosed to
law enforcement under these circumstances. With there being
identity theft involved, the records may not be those of the person
that signed the authorization form. It would be best to obtain a court
order before releasing the medical records.
You receive an authorization that is signed by the patient, but it was
not dated. Why or why not is this authorization valid and would you
or would you not honor the authorization? Correct Answer -
The authorization should not be honored. Date is a required element
of a valid authorization.
,You receive an authorization from the mother of a 12 year old son.
She is requesting a copy of his medical records where he was seen
for a sexually transmitted disease in which he signed for his own
care. Why or why not is she entitled to receive a copy? Correct
Answer - Depending on what state this took place in, the minor
would also have to sign the authorization form for the mother to
receive a copy of the medical record. When dealing with sensitive
information such as sexually transmitted diseases, some states allow
minors aged 12 and older to authorize the release of records; other
states start at age 13 or 14.
A 17 year old girl was seen at an abortion clinic where she had an
abortion. Later the next day she develops complications and goes to
the emergency room to seek further care. Her mother requests
copies of her medical records. Since the patient is still a minor, Mom
signs the release form. Why or why not is mom entitled to these
records? Correct Answer - The mom is not entitled to receive
copies of the medical records. Some states have specific laws that
protect minors seeking abortions. The minor would need to sign the
authorization form in order for the mother to be able to access the
records.
Jane's aunt passed away and Jane wants to get a copy of her aunt's
death summary. She fills out an authorization form and shows legal
proof that she is a beneficiary. Her aunt was married and there is a
surviving spouse. Why or why not is she entitled to get a copy of the
death summary? Correct Answer - Being a beneficiary does not
provide access to a decease patient's records. The best practice
would be to have the surviving spouse sign an authorization form
allowing Jane to receive copies of the medical record.
John is the middle child of three siblings. His mother is the widow of
his deceased father. John would like to get a copy of his father's
medical record and has filled out an authorization form. Why or why
, not is he entitled to get a copy of his father's records? Correct
Answer - John is not entitled to receive copies of his father's
medical record. The mother would need to provide proof of identity
and sign an authorization form in order for John to receive copies of
his father's medical record. Also, the scenario does not state how old
John is and he may be a minor. However, if John is an adult and
resides in a state whereby state law allows access to the records of a
deceased patient by the children of the deceased, he would indeed
be allowed access
The police request a copy of a patient's medical record who was
involved in a traffic collision. The patient has given consent to the
police for these records. The medical report shows that the patient
had been drinking. Why or why not are these records protected?
Correct Answer - Yes, the records may be released, since the
patient gave consent to release the records to the police.
A patient presents to the HIM Department requesting information
about a recent biopsy. The patient says he wants to know details
about the procedure and specifics regarding the specimen removed.
The patient should be advised to request a copy of the? Correct
Answer - Operative and Pathology Report
Some attorneys send a courtesy deposition letter prior to issuing a
subpoena. Can you disclose information without patient
authorization if you have the deposition letter prior to receiving the
subpoena? Correct Answer - NO
If a patient completes an authorization form, can they simply put "at
the request of the patient" as a disclosure purpose? Correct
Answer - YES
