What is the function of an audit trail in EHR systems?

The function of an audit trail in Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems is to maintain a comprehensive record of who accessed and modified patient data, thereby ensuring accountability. This feature is crucial for tracking changes made to sensitive health information, which helps protect patient confidentiality and assists in maintaining compliance with regulations such as HIPAA.

The audit trail logs include detailed information on user actions, such as login times, modifications, and deletions of patient records. This capability not only enhances security but also helps in identifying unauthorized access or errors in data handling. In the event of a data breach or a dispute regarding patient information, the audit trail serves as an essential tool for investigation and resolution.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of an audit trail. While patient complaints and feedback or appointment history are important aspects of patient care, they are not part of the accountability features that an audit trail provides. Documentation of the duration of EHR usage, while potentially useful for system evaluation, does not pertain to the security and accountability functions that are central to an audit trail.