Nancy's father, Joe, is a resident in a skilled nursing facility. He has dementia and is very active, walking frequently throughout the unit and occasionally entering other resident's rooms. He is sometimes unsteady ad will trip over furniture. Nancy is very concerned that the number of psychotropic drugs her father is on is leading to diminished kidney function. She is also concerned that they are being used for an improper purpose, which is to inhibit her father's mobility for the convenience of staff. The nursing facility conducted a batter of lab tests, but the facility's paper-based health record allows her-as her father's Durable Power of Attorney- to view the results only if she arranges a time with one of the nursing staff to do so, or if she requests a copy from the medical records department. Because of his condition, Joe is also a patient of a neurologist. The neurologist also conducted a batter of lab tests, and the test results were posted on the patient portal of the electronic health record. Nancy was able to view the test results, using her user ID and password, the day after the tests were conducted. In both situations, Nancy would like to discuss the results with someone who can explain them further because she has an 8 ^thgrade education and does not really understand the test results.

Reviewing the health information patient rights discussed in this chapter, which ones apply to this situation?

Do you believe the Medicare CoP Seclusion and Restraint requirements are being violated by the nursing facility?

Are patient portals beneficial or detrimental to those with limited health literacy?