--- title: "Ambient Documentation (Abridge): Privacy and Security" slug: "ambient-documentation-charting-abridge-privacy-security" tags: ["Clinical Documentation", "Epic"] updated: 2026-03-12T00:46:51Z published: 2026-03-12T00:46:51Z canonical: "healthhub.cpcmg.net/ambient-documentation-charting-abridge-privacy-security" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://healthhub.cpcmg.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Ambient Documentation (Abridge): Privacy and Security Children’s Primary Care Medical Group (CPCMG) uses **ambient documentation technology from Abridge** to help clinicians create accurate visit notes while focusing on patients instead of typing. This article answers common questions about how the system works and how patient information is protected. --- ### What is ambient documentation? Ambient documentation allows the clinician to **securely record the conversation during a visit**. The system converts the conversation into: - A **transcript of the visit** - A **structured clinical note** that the clinician reviews and edits - A finalized note that is placed in the medical record The clinician **always reviews and approves the note** before it becomes part of the chart. --- ### Is this technology HIPAA-compliant? Yes. The Abridge platform is designed for healthcare use and supports **HIPAA compliance**. Key protections include: - **HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA)** with our organization - **Encryption of data in transit and at rest** - Secure cloud infrastructure with enterprise security controls - Governance and access controls to protect patient information These protections apply to any protected health information (PHI) processed during the documentation workflow. --- ### What information is recorded? During a visit where ambient documentation is used, the system processes: - The **audio of the clinical conversation** - A **text transcript** - An **AI-generated clinical summary** Only the **final clinician-approved note** becomes part of the patient’s medical record. --- ### How is patient data used? Patient data is used **only to generate documentation for the visit**. According to Abridge policies: - Patient data **is not sold** - Any research or development uses **de-identified data** unless explicit consent is obtained - Data is shared only as required to operate the service and support clinical documentation --- ### How long are recordings kept? In our practice: - **Audio recordings and transcripts are automatically deleted after 30 days.** - The **final clinical note remains in the medical record**, just like any other documentation. This retention policy limits the amount of recorded data stored while allowing time for quality assurance if needed. --- ### Can patients decline recording? Yes. If a patient prefers **not to have the visit recorded**, they can tell the clinician. The clinician can simply document the visit manually instead. --- ### Why do we use this technology? Ambient documentation helps clinicians: - Spend **more time focused on patients** - Reduce time spent typing notes - Improve documentation accuracy and completeness Many patients find it helps make visits **more conversational and less computer-focused**. --- ### Frequently Asked Questions #### **Can I request a copy of the recording or transcript of the visit?** Our practice does **not provide copies of the audio recording or transcript**. The recording and transcript are used **only temporarily to help the clinician create the visit note** and are **not part of the official medical record**. The official record is the **clinician-reviewed note** placed in the patient’s chart. We limit access to recordings for several reasons: - To protect **patient and family privacy**, since recordings may include multiple people in the room - To maintain **medical record integrity**, as transcripts may contain errors or background conversation - To reduce **security and compliance risk** In our system, **recordings and transcripts are automatically deleted after 30 days**. If you would like documentation from the visit, you can request **the finalized clinical note** through the patient portal or medical records process. --- #### **Why do clinicians ask for verbal permission to record at each visit?** State law requires that **everyone involved in a conversation agree before it can be recorded**. Because of this, clinicians must **confirm verbal permission at the start of each visit**, even if a written consent form was previously signed. This ensures that patients and families **always have the opportunity to decline recording for that visit**. If you prefer not to be recorded, the clinician can simply document the visit in the traditional way. ### Questions or concerns If you have questions about how ambient documentation is used in our practice, please ask your clinician or contact our office. We are committed to using technology that **improves care while protecting patient privacy and security**. ambient charting