Oklahoma Senate Bill SB919

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Healthcare facilities; requiring certain publication of policies and procedures; granting certain rights relating to medical records. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB919 would affect state laws regarding healthcare operations by enforcing stricter guidelines for the publication of procedural information and patient rights related to medical records. This legislation is expected to improve patient access to information about their treatment and enhance oversight of healthcare practices. Additionally, the requirement for transparency could lead to increased accountability among healthcare providers and potentially improve the quality of care through informed patient engagement.

Summary

Senate Bill 919 aims to enhance transparency and accountability in healthcare facilities by requiring hospitals, medical clinics, and long-term care facilities in Oklahoma to publish their policies and procedures on their websites. This requirement is intended to ensure that patients and the general public have access to important information regarding the operations and regulations of these healthcare entities. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that these facilities maintain updated records and outlines the process by which patients can obtain access to their medical records and any alterations made to them.

Contention

While the bill has been generally supported on the grounds of promoting patient rights and transparency, there may be concerns from some healthcare providers about the administrative burden associated with the continuous updating and maintenance of published policies on their websites. Moreover, there could be discussions surrounding the implications of patient access to detailed edits in medical records, including potential privacy concerns. Such issues may lead to debates on striking a balance between patient rights and the operational capabilities of healthcare entities.