In healthcare compliance, what does the term 'spoliation' refer to?

The term 'spoliation' in healthcare compliance specifically refers to the destruction or alteration of health records or other important documents that could be relevant to legal proceedings or compliance with regulations. This is critical in a healthcare context because proper maintenance and preservation of records are essential not only for ensuring quality care but also for legal accountability. When records are destroyed or altered, it can impede investigations and legal processes and may lead to significant penalties for the organization involved.

Inaccurate coding practices and document retention policies, while important to healthcare compliance, do not fall under the specific definition of spoliation. Similarly, breaches of patient confidentiality relate to the unauthorized access or sharing of personal health information, which is a separate area of focus in compliance legislation. Thus, the correct association of spoliation is with the destruction of health records.