Which law governs the confidentiality of patient records in the District of Columbia?

The law that governs the confidentiality of patient records in the District of Columbia is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of health information, implementing safeguards to ensure that patient data is kept confidential and secure. This includes guidelines on how patient information should be stored, shared, and accessed, with a strong focus on protecting individuals' privacy rights regarding their medical records.

Healthcare providers, including physical therapists, must be compliant with HIPAA regulations to ensure patient confidentiality. This involves obtaining patient consent for sharing information, providing patients with access to their own medical records, and training staff on privacy practices.

Other laws mentioned, such as FERPA, are specifically designed for educational records and do not apply to health information. The Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on preventing discrimination against individuals with disabilities rather than directly addressing the confidentiality of patient records. The Freedom of Information Act pertains to the access of federal agency records and is not applicable to the private health information governed by HIPAA.