According to HIPAA regulations, what should be done with records from a previous hospital when a patient requests her health records?

The correct response is that records from a previous hospital should be included in the designated record set when a patient requests her health records. Under HIPAA regulations, the designated record set includes the medical records and billing records about an individual that are maintained by a covered entity, as well as any other records used to make decisions about the individual’s care.

When a patient requests access to their health information, they are entitled to receive a complete picture of their health history, which encompasses records from all healthcare providers involved in their care. This ensures continuity of care and allows patients to have a comprehensive understanding of their health status.

Inclusion of previous hospital records promotes transparency and empowers patients to manage their health effectively, recognizing that their care often involves multiple providers. It aligns with HIPAA's goal of giving patients rights over their own health information while ensuring that their privacy is respected.

Other options do not align with HIPAA's requirements regarding patient access to their records. For example, excluding previous hospital records would deny patients crucial information necessary for their health decisions. Releasing records only upon specific request may restrict access that patients are legally entitled to, while sending records to the previous hospital contradicts the patient's right to access their own information directly.