LAC 48:I.9393. Confidentiality

A. The hospital shall ensure the confidentiality of patient records, including information in an electronic medical record system, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Regulations (Title 45, Part 164, Subpart E of the Code of Federal Regulations) and any Louisiana state laws and regulations which provide a more stringent standard of confidentiality than the HIPAA Privacy Regulations. Information from or copies of records may be released only to authorized individuals, and the hospital shall ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot gain access to or alter patient records. Original medical records shall not be released outside the hospital unless under court order or subpoena or in order to safeguard the record in the event of a physical plant emergency or natural disaster. Psychiatric medical records shall be segregated to ensure confidentiality.