Which statement about access to health records for agency-based care is correct?

Which statement about access to health records for agency-based care is correct?

• A. The agency owns the health record, and the client has access only in exceptional circumstances.
• B. The client owns the health record and must provide consent to agency staff for its use for purposes related to care.
• C. The agency and the client co-own the health record, and both have equal access to the information.
• D. The agency owns the health record, but the client has legal access to the information according to agency policies.

Answer: (D)

Access to health records in agency-based care is governed by privacy rules that keep the record with the agency (the custodian) while giving the client the right to see their own information. The agency creates and maintains the record and controls its release, but the client has a legal right to access the information it contains. The process for gaining access is set out in the agency’s policies and applicable privacy legislation, including steps to verify identity and any allowed restrictions. Thus, the statement that the agency owns the health record, but the client has legal access to the information according to agency policies, best reflects how access works in practice.

Access to health records in agency-based care is governed by privacy rules that keep the record with the agency (the custodian) while giving the client the right to see their own information. The agency creates and maintains the record and controls its release, but the client has a legal right to access the information it contains. The process for gaining access is set out in the agency’s policies and applicable privacy legislation, including steps to verify identity and any allowed restrictions. Thus, the statement that the agency owns the health record, but the client has legal access to the information according to agency policies, best reflects how access works in practice.