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| |  The Health Information Management department is responsible for the maintenance of the patient's medical record. The hours of service are Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The main purpose of the medical record is to document the patient's past and present illnesses and treatments. The record does belong to the hospital, but the information contained within the record is the property of the patient. The information may be used in a variety of ways, including:
1. Patient Care
- To document the course of the patient's illness and treatment during each episode of care.
- To communicate between the physician and other health professionals providing care to the patient.
2. Financial Reimbursement
- To substantiate insurance claims for the health care facility and the patient.
3. Legal Affairs
- To provide data to assist in protecting the legal interest of the patient, the physician, and the health care facility.
Before patient information will be released to another party, the patient or legal designee must sign either a consent or an authorization with any applicable charge for copying as outlined in the Tennessee Medical Record Act. If the record is to be released to another physician or health care provider for continuum of care there is no charge for copying. |