Atlanta Legal Nurse Consultant Attends "Medical Records Law" In Macon, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia – Atlanta legal nurse consultant Liz Buddenhagen attended “Medical Records Law in Georgia” presented in Macon, Georgia on February 11, 2011. The program was moderated by Gyalia Rutledge, RN, LNC of Augusta, Georgia, a presenter.

About the Medical Records Law conference:

Arthur T. Anthony, retired from Georgia Bureau of Investigation, started off with “Forensic Handwriting and Document Examination.” Anthony defined forensic document examination as “the examination of documentary evidence for the purpose of determining the origin of authenticity of questioned or disputed documents.” He gave examples of different medical records he has worked with, as well as infrared and ultraviolet examinations of papers.

Rutledge continued the program by discussing medical malpractice risk issues, and defense elements regarding medical record documentation, particularly what the plaintiff, and defense attorneys like to see in the record.

Pointing out pitfalls of diagnostic test tracking in hospitals, and physician practices, she then moved on to pitfalls of electronic documentation, tips for preparing, and participating in depositions, and closed the session with tips on customer service form the patient’s perception.

Darrell J. Solomon, attorney with McKenna, Long & Aldridge of Atlanta spoke about “Records Retention and Risk Management.” Solomon gave general, state, and federal definitions of “medical record” and “health record.” He summarized laws, and regulations governing retention, and destruction of medical records, including state, and federal requirements, litigation concerns, reimbursement and billing records, and health records regulated as employee records. Other considerations of note were Joint Commission standards, professional associations, and institutional requirements.

Solomon continued with privacy, access, and disclosure issues, and gave tips for best practice. In conclusion, he defined, and described electronic medical records, and electronic health records, with special considerations for electronic medical records, regarding cost, retention, destruction, and e-discovery in the legal process.

Wrapping up the conference, the Buzzell, Graham & Welch law firm in Macon, GA presented “Medical Records from the Patient’s Representative View.” Although according to Georgia Law, a client waves his rights to privacy once a lawsuit is filed, the newer federal HIPAA law preempts Georgia law, and “prohibits the parties from using or disclosing the protected health information for any purpose other than the litigation… and requires the return of the covered entity or the destruction of the protected health information (includes all copies made) at the end of the litigation or proceeding.”

About the Atlanta legal nurse consultant:

Liz Buddenhagen, registered nurse with thirty years clinical hospital experience, and five years assisting Atlanta attorneys is well versed in reviewing medical records, both handwritten, and electronic.

Buddenhagen is principal at Buddenhagen & Associates. For more information view website www.Legal-Nurse-Consultant-LNC.com, email Liz@BuddenhagenLNC.com, or call 770-725-2997.

Contact Information

Liz Buddenhagen, RN, CLNC

Principal

Buddenhagen & Associates

Contact via E-mail