What is the primary goal of protecting patient rights in health information management?

The primary goal of protecting patient rights in health information management is to ensure confidentiality and proper access to records. In healthcare, this involves safeguarding personal health information from unauthorized access while allowing patients to obtain their records and control who has access to them. This aligns with legal regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), that emphasize patient privacy and the security of health information.

When patient rights are upheld, it fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers, encourages patients to seek care, and promotes better health outcomes. Ensuring confidentiality helps prevent misuse of sensitive information, thereby protecting patients from potential harm, discrimination, or stigma.

Other considerations, such as increasing healthcare costs, streamlining the billing process, and enhancing administrative efficiencies, are important in their own contexts but do not primarily focus on safeguarding patient rights or ensuring their privacy. These aspects are secondary to the fundamental objective of protecting individual rights and maintaining the integrity of health information.