Joseph Goeddert reports:
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will hold the last of a series of public meetings in Los Angeles on Nov. 18 as federal officials study whether HIPAA privacy protections for mental health information should be strengthened by broadening the definition of “psychotherapy notes” to include test data.
[…]
The Los Angeles meeting is an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about the issue and provide input. Registration is required but there is no charge for the meeting. Details are available atregonline.com/register/checkin.aspx?eventid=903578.
Read more on Health Data Management.
This should really be a no-brainer. Yes, the definition needs to include test data. Not providing stronger protection for tests on clinical scales such as depression inventories or assessments for Autistic Disorder can result in patients not being truthful in their answers for fear that others will have access to the data.
Mental health professionals generally make arrangements for what happens to their files in the event of sudden death, etc. We do that out of great concern for the confidentiality of patient records and in full recognition of the stigma that still attaches to mental health issues. Psychotherapy notes — including assessment data — need to have the highest levels of protection.