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Article: New Law Will Guard Patient Privacy.
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
- Article date:
- March 25, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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By David Wahlberg, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Mar. 25--A new medical privacy law is creating changes --- some obvious, but many subtle --- at hospitals and doctors' offices.
Charts are being hung with patient names facing toward doors, not into hallways. Computer filters are preventing casual onlookers from viewing data-filled screens. Sign-in sheets are coming with peel-off strips so the next people in line won't see names.
And, as with most government regulations, there is more paperwork.
But the lengthy privacy statements patients will be asked to sign once the law takes effect April 14 ...