Frequently Asked Questions
Does the APA have official policies or position statements on acceptable use of EHRs and disclosure of health information contained in EHRs?
The APA Corresponding Committee on Electronic Health Records and APA Corresponding Committee on Confidentiality are currently working on resource documents that address these concerns. Due to the constantly evolving nature of Health Information Technology, policies will need to be continuously developed and refined to reflect changing technology, initiatives, and regulations.
Does the APA endorse or recommend specific software?
No. The APA does not endorse specific software or vendors. While APA provides a forum on its EHR website for psychiatrists to post reviews and share personal experiences with HIT, the statements and opinions expressed in these forums do not necessarily reflect those of the APA.
Is there a national privacy standard to which EHRs and Health Information Exchange efforts must comply?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule currently serves as a baseline level of privacy protection nationally, but it is preempted by stricter state privacy laws.
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