If a resident asks to see their medical record, what is the facility's duty?

• A. Deny access.
• B. Provide access within a reasonable time, verify identity, and provide copies or review as requested.
• C. Provide only a summary.
• D. Release to the public.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that residents have the right to access their own medical records so they can understand their care and participate in decisions about it. When a resident asks to see their record, the facility must respond within a reasonable time, verify the resident’s identity to protect privacy, and provide access in the form the resident wants. That means offering either a copy of the records or a chance to review them on-site. If a copy is requested, a reasonable copying fee is allowable. Denying access or releasing information to the public would violate the resident’s privacy rights, and giving only a summary doesn’t meet the request for full access when the resident asks for the entire record.