Right to Privacy - R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 23-17.5-14

Nursing home patients have the right to the privacy and confidentiality of all their records. Patients must approve the release of their records unless authorized by law or occurring during their transfer to another facility. The right to privacy, however, does not prevent licensing agencies from reviewing records in fulfillment of their duties.

The long-term care ombudsman may access a patient’s medical records if authorized by the patient or their representative, or, without consent if the patient is unable to authorize access and lacks a representative.