I do some very interesting information privacy audits. In one hospital I
covered, they had some very worrying habits with respect to personal
information. Now, I believe, fully addressed!
It is a constant balancing act between getting a job done, providing a
service to the patient and maintaining confidentiality. It's all about risk
assessment and determining what is and is not acceptable risk....
Simon Howarth.
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Trent
Sent: 05 October 2006 09:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Hospital Privacy/Confidentiality
Just one area here that amused me.
I was just in hospital for minor surgery. My notes were left on my table
all day. An A4 page was on top telling me that these notes were private and
it was illegal for me to read them.
So, that is patient confidentiality, then :)
The other stuff is sound common sense. This one element was, in my local
hospital, quite "interesting"
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Karen Waite
Sent: 05 October 2006 08:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Hospital Privacy/Confidentiality
I support fully what Anne has explained.
Hospitals face a constant judgement of being helpful to both public and
patients yet not divulge too much information that may potentially put the
patient at risk or the hospital in breach of that patients rights.
It is never an easy balance and there will always exist a tension between
the two - that is why it comes down to each hospital to find that acceptable
balance - and yes, even the patient or patients family if the patient is
unable to, have a certain responsibility to tell staff if there are any
particular concerns or wishes regarding that's patient information that they
would like the hospital to consider (if it is within the realms of
reasonableness or for a special reason that may involve legal or protective
reasoning).
I hasten to add that the 'patient information' I mention above is not about
the confidential patient information that is held in a person's medical
files. That type of information is strictly governed by particular laws and
regulations to ensure it's security - even from other members of the
clinical staff.
kind regards
Karen
Karen Waite
Corporate Records Manager
Cornwall IT Services (CITS)
Megashed
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
Truro. Cornwall. TR1 3LJ
Ph: 01872 254500
Fax: 01872 254508
email: [log in to unmask]
>>> Anne Gadsden <[log in to unmask]> 04/10/2006 14:16
>>>
the need for patient confidentiality has been balanced with the human need
for people to keep in touch with each other, particularly at times of crisis
e.g. illness. The tiny risk of breach of confidentiality here is balanced
by considering that you would have had to know which hospital to approach
and patient's name. Ok, you might be a nosey neighbour having seen someone
going off in an ambulance, but once you were through to the Ward you
wouldn't have been given any information about the patient unless they had
authorised release of information to you.
The alternative is not to give out any information at all, which would make
things very difficult for even patient's relatives - and have you considered
the nightmare of what might happen when patients are shifted round
wards/hospitals and staff have forgotten to inform the nearest and dearest?
If that did happen (and it's not uncommon), even your wife wouldn't be able
to find you again!
Anne
Anne Gadsden AHRIM
Information Governance Officer
Information Services Department
North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Cumberland Infirmary
Carlisle CA2 7HY
01228 814539 (direct line)
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>>> Nick Landau <[log in to unmask]> 04/10/2006 01:34 >>>
A family friend has recently gone in to hospital and my father rang up the
hospital to find out which ward she was in because he wanted to visit her.
He was put through to the Hospital reception and they told her which ward
she was in.
I am rather surprised that anyone in this way can identify whether a
particular patient is in a specific hospital and where they are to be found.
I have worked in the NHS but not in an Acute Trust.
Nick Landau
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