INFORMATICS

Informatics in Health Care

Informatics in Health Care

Introduction

The policies and laws in the United Kingdom allow the people to get access to their health records and this access is along with some exceptions according to the Data Protection Act 1998. Sharing of authentic health information with the patients is considered as a good practice. The sharing can be helpful for the patients in the process of decision making. The access to clinical health records is beyond the legal rights of subject access that are requested by offering routine access to the health records and it establishes the partnership for the promotion of good healthcare (RCGP, 2010, pp.7). The clinical health records are used in primary care, but they are also being used in some hospital specialties. For example, the renal patient view is used in renal clinics so that the families and GP can get access to the blood test results and clinic letters of the patient (NHS, 2013, pp.1).

Current practice

The access to the clinical health records assist in the control of the treatment which is according to the desire and wish of the patient (NHS constitution, 2009, pp.1). Many of the current practices of the electronic health records are as follows. The patients are given appropriate information and opportunities so that they can control the decisions of the healthcare which are affecting them. The access to the health records is a way to share the significant information so that they can be informed about their health. The patients are encouraged to use their health records so that they can improve their health. It has also found effective in improving the care and safety of the patient. The health records are free to access for patients in UK. In UK, Secure mechanisms are provided for the direct access of patients to electronic health records, and access is also encouraged by the healthcare providers. The health records are used as a care device by the healthcare professionals. In addition, the input and access of the patients do not affect the quality of care device. The report of the documents is not available to any third party, and there are tools that help in providing the safe access to the patients (RCGP, 2010, pp.8). The online access to clinical health records in UK is a part of the procedure of the empowering patient program and many developments are being made in the softwares to assure the patient empowerment (Lusiqnan & Seroussi, 2013, pp.61-65).

Policies of accessMedical Records Act According to DPA and access to medical records law 1988 in UK, the patients and the people who are given authority by the patient can access the health records and reports which are supplied by the healthcare provider for insurance, employment and other purposes. Parents of Gillick competent children also have the access of the medical records of the children for the benefit of the children(RCGP, 2010, pp.8).

Mental Capacity Act The Mental Capacity Act 2005 was created for England and Wales ...