Health Information Technologist how-to

How to Process a Records Request

Legal releases protect privacy.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Legal releases protect privacy. In short: verify; check; confirm, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Verify the requester.

  2. Check the authorization.

  3. Confirm what may be released.

  4. Gather records.

  5. Remove protected information if required.

  6. Log the release.

Safety reminders for health information technologists

  • Protect patient privacy
  • Use secure systems
  • Report breaches promptly
  • Follow retention rules

EHR · HIM · HIPAA · Release of information · Chart deficiency · Abstracting: see the full health information technologist glossary.

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