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View Access Log

The last requirement that iTrust would like to make available to the patient is the ability to view access logs for their medical records. The access log would provide information regarding who updated their medical information and when it occurred. This could be very valuable to a patient as they can communicate with the facility regarding any discrepancies in their chart. This might also act as a check and balance system between the patient and the provider, which could also assist in medical insurance billing and payment information. For example, if a patient was diagnosed with ailment X, but the provider mistakenly coded ailment Y in the system, the insurance company may or may not cover the cost of the visit or associated procedures. Allowing the patient to view the access log information can be provided to the insurance provider and the medical facility for correction.

Another advantage of allowing patients to view the access log is so they are able to see if someone compromised their medical information. Being able to catch this breach early enough may allow law enforcement time to track the perpetrator before that information is used in a manner non-conducive to the patient. Without access, the likelihood of a patient knowing their information has been tampered with is severely lessened.

HIPAA was enacted to ensure that personal medical and health information remains secure from others that could use the information wrongfully or intentionally against an individual. HIPAA allows the patient more control over their personal information, applies limits on who can see the information and on what information is disclosed (Thacker, 2003). This law itself provides the patient with access to their medical information and the ability to see what was logged in their records.

Applying the new requirements to the iTrust medical cloud database system allows responders, medical professionals and patients the ability to see information that could lead to a proactive sense of medical care. The efficiency in how medical care is provided could save on medical care costs and make hospital visits more effective due to the limited number of individuals waiting to be seen. The patients will have the option to make the informed decision on which doctor they will see and also have more background information before they see any individual.