The Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) has cautioned health facilities and private providers of allied health services against engaging unqualified persons to perform Health Information and Medical Records functions.
The Council said it uncovered the practice during its ongoing nationwide compliance and inspection exercise, with some facilities allegedly assigning individuals without the required qualifications, registration and licences to handle patients’ medical records and confidential health information.
According to the AHPC, some of these individuals are employed under the designation of receptionists but are assigned responsibilities that are legally reserved for qualified and licensed Health Information Officers, Medical Records Technicians and Medical Records Assistants.
The Council described the practice as unlawful and a breach of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).
It said the management of patients’ health information is a regulated professional function that must only be performed by duly qualified, registered and licensed practitioners.
The AHPC warned that allowing unqualified persons to handle such responsibilities could compromise patient confidentiality, undermine professional standards and pose risks to the quality and integrity of healthcare delivery.
The Council has therefore directed owners and managers of health facilities, hospital administrators and Human Resource departments to immediately discontinue the practice and ensure that all Health Information and Medical Records functions are handled exclusively by qualified professionals recognised under the law.
It further warned that compliance and enforcement exercises would continue across the country.
Health facilities found engaging unqualified persons to perform regulated Health Information and Medical Records duties will face sanctions in accordance with the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).
The AHPC urged healthcare providers to comply with the law, respect the professional mandate of licensed practitioners and work with the Council to protect patient safety, confidentiality and standards in healthcare delivery.
