What does an accounting of disclosures refer to in healthcare?

An accounting of disclosures refers specifically to a comprehensive record of all instances where a patient's health information has been shared with parties outside the healthcare organization, as mandated by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This accounting provides patients with transparency regarding who has accessed their health records, the purpose of each disclosure, and the date it occurred.

This process is essential for protecting patient privacy and ensuring that they can make informed decisions about their healthcare. It allows patients to understand how their sensitive information has been handled and ensures that healthcare providers are held accountable for respecting patient confidentiality.

In contrast, a summary of patient treatment records focuses on the clinical aspects of a patient's care, while a financial report details the economic transactions related to healthcare services. Additionally, a history of patient visits and outcomes primarily showcases the clinical interactions and results but does not provide the same level of detail regarding disclosures of health information.