The State Health Information Guidance explains under what circumstances healthcare providers — including mental healthcare providers, substance use disorder providers and emergency service providers — can exchange mental health and substance use disorder records with one another to coordinating patient care.
The guidance is meant to alleviate confusion many providers have around existing privacy laws, which may hinder them from sharing patient information, the department said.
“This guidance is a huge step towards removing regulatory uncertainty that has prevented organizations from sharing these records,” said Robert Cothren, PhD, executive director of the California Association of Health Information Exchanges. “Sharing mental health and substance use disorder information is a critical component of the complete picture of an individual’s health.”
More articles on health IT:
Republican Senators: OIG should take ‘all reasonable steps’ to recover EHR overpayments
Healthcare coalition supports legislation easing meaningful use burden
Viewpoint: 4 information security threats hospitals should know
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
