Describe what the ARRA is and how it has changed the HIM professional's role in healthcare.

ARRA states patients have the right to obtain a copy of their protected health information in electronic format if care was received from a covered entity that uses or maintains an electronic health record. This has changed the HIM professional's role because he must be able to provide the requested documentation to a patient at any time. The concept of patient rights influences decision making in the sense that health care providers must recognize the patient's rights as one element in the decision making process, thus having the health care provider see the patient as a stakeholder whose values are important.