What is the main purpose of sharing PHI among health care custodians?

The main purpose of sharing Personal Health Information (PHI) among health care custodians is to improve the quality of healthcare for clients. When health care custodians share PHI, it facilitates a more holistic and coordinated approach to patient care. This sharing allows providers to access comprehensive patient histories, enabling them to make informed decisions that can enhance treatment outcomes and the overall patient experience.

Efforts to improve healthcare quality can involve various aspects, including better diagnosis, timely treatments, effective utilization of resources, and improved patient safety. Access to accurate and updated PHI is essential for healthcare professionals to provide effective care tailored to individual needs.

While research purposes, collecting data for health statistics, and educating healthcare providers are important aspects of the health care system, the primary goal of sharing PHI focuses on direct patient care improvement. Research and education often build upon the foundation set by quality healthcare practices, but they do not represent the immediate purpose of exchanging PHI in the context of critical health services.