Electronic health records must?

• A. follow HIPPA guidelines and be kept up to date
• B. Not approved for use in clinic settings
• C. should not be reviewed by the patient
• D. are not accessible to all healthcare employees

Answer: (A)

Electronic health records must protect patient privacy and keep information current. Following HIPAA guidelines means implementing safeguards to protect protected health information, such as access controls, authentication, encryption, and audit trails, so only authorized staff can view or edit records. Keeping records up to date is crucial because clinicians rely on accurate, current data—like diagnoses, medications, allergies, and test results—to provide safe, effective care. Outdated or incorrect information can lead to medication errors or inappropriate treatments. Under HIPAA, patients also have the right to review their records, so it isn’t correct to say they shouldn’t be reviewed by the patient. EHRs are designed for use in clinical settings and are accessible to the appropriate healthcare team members with the proper protections in place.