What is a downside of converting treatment records into educational records?

Converting treatment records into educational records presents several challenges related to confidentiality and access. When treatment records are transformed into educational records, they become subject to regulations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which generally allows for broader access compared to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This transition increases access for school officials and may reduce the overall confidentiality of sensitive information, meaning more individuals can potentially view these records than under the original treatment context.

Under HIPAA, access to treatment records is strictly limited to healthcare providers and certain authorized individuals, ensuring higher confidentiality levels. In contrast, FERPA permits access not only for educational purposes but can also allow information sharing between school personnel, potentially leading to situations where sensitive treatment information could be disclosed without the same level of protection as it had under HIPAA. Thus, the change in the status of the records can compromise patient confidentiality while loosening access restrictions.