§ 23-17.5-14 - Right to privacy. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 23-17.5-14

   § 23-17.5-14  Right to privacy. – (a) The patient's right to privacy and confidentiality shall extend to allrecords pertaining to the patient. Release of any records shall be subject tothe patient's approval except in case of transfer to another health carefacility or as otherwise provided by law.

   (b) The right to privacy and confidentiality relates to thepublic dissemination of specific information contained within patient recordsand to the identification of specific individuals, but does not abrogate theresponsibility of the licensing agency to review all patient records.

   (c) With the permission of a patient or patient's legalguardian, the long-term care ombudsman shall have access to review thepatient's medical and social records or, if a patient is unable to consent tothe review and has no legal guardian, appropriate access to the patient'smedical and social records shall be granted to the long-term care ombudsman.