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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6489
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S
RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING REMOTE ACCESS TO
MEDICAL RECORDS MAINTAINED BY HOSPITALS AND HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires hospitals to provide the Department of Public
Health (DPH) access, including remote access if technically feasible, to
complete electronic medical records on reportable diseases and
emergency illnesses and health conditions, in a manner the
commissioner approves (see BACKGROUND).
It also requires hospitals to grant DPH access, including remote
access if technically feasible, to complete patient medical records
related to the:
1. Connecticut Tumor Registry, if the department deems it
necessary to perform case findings or other quality
improvement audits (see BACKGROUND) and
2. Maternal Mortality Review Program, if DPH deems it necessary
to review case information related to a death under review by
the program (see BACKGROUND).
(Existing law already grants DPH access to health care provider
records for these purposes.)
Under the bill, as under the existing law, these records generally (1)
are confidential and not subject to disclosure, (2) are not admissible as
evidence in any court or agency proceeding, and (3) must be used
solely for medical or scientific research or disease control and
prevention purposes.
Additionally, the bill requires DPH, no earlier than July 1, 2021, to 2021HB-06489-R000228-BA.DOCX
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establish a one-year pilot program to initially test the impact of
providing DPH remote access to complete hospital electronic medical
records related to birth defects, births, fetal deaths, and death
occurrences. Within 30 days after the pilot program ends, DPH must
determine whether it will be fully implemented. If so, hospitals must
start providing DPH access to these records on a continual basis.
Lastly, the bill makes technical changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021, except the pilot program
provisions take effect July 1, 2021.
PILOT PROGRAM
The bill requires the Connecticut Hospital Association to identify
one hospital to participate in the one-year pilot program, which DPH
must establish no earlier than July 1, 2021. That hospital must share
complete electronic medical records related to birth defects, births,
fetal deaths, and death occurrences that DPH deems necessary to
perform quality improvement audits for related data accuracy and
completeness of reporting. Under the bill, these records are
confidential in the same manner as described above.
The bill also requires DPH, no earlier than July 1, 2022, to evaluate
the pilot program to determine any achieved (1) improvements in data
accuracy and timeliness and (2) cost savings. Within 30 days after the
pilot program ends, the commissioner must determine whether the
pilot program will be fully implemented. If so, hospitals must start
providing DPH access to these records on a continual basis.
BACKGROUND
DPH Reportable Disease List
By law, DPH maintains an annual list of reportable diseases and
emergency illnesses and conditions and reportable lab findings. Health
care providers and clinical laboratories must report cases of the listed
conditions within certain timeframes to the department and the local
health director where the case occurs.
Connecticut Tumor Registry 2021HB-06489-R000228-BA.DOCX
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By law, the Connecticut Tumor Registry includes reports of all
tumors and conditions that are diagnosed or treated in the state for
which DPH requires reports. Hospitals, various health care providers,
and clinical laboratories must provide such reports to DPH for
inclusion in the registry.
Maternity Mortality Review Program
DPH’s Maternity Mortality Review Program identifies maternal
deaths in Connecticut, and reviews related medical records and other
relevant data, including death and birth records, the Office of the Chief
Medical Examiner’s files, and physician office and hospital records.
The program’s review committee conducts comprehensive,
multidisciplinary reviews of maternal deaths to identify associated
factors and make recommendations to reduce these deaths.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 29 Nay 4 (03/12/2021)