Confidentiality Flashcards
When does lawful disclosure occur
When patients give their consent
– for the purposes of directly providing and supporting their own care (implicit consent is sufficient)
– for other purposes secondary to their own care (explicit consent for this is required)
When it is a requirement by law (e.g. court order)
– consent is not required, but the patient should normally be informed, and the disclosure kept to a minimum
When there is a compelling public interest (e.g. safety of others)
– consent is not required, but the patient should normally be informed or, if practical, persuaded to make disclosure
What are the main standards to follow when handling patients information
- Keep contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records
- Protect the confedentiality of patients’ information and only use it for the purpose for which it was given
- Only release patient’s information without their permission in exceptional circumstances
- Ensure that patients can have access to their records
- Keep patients’ information secure at all times, whether your records are held on paper or electronically
Practice scenario***
A patient record card, showing a Hepatitis B alert written at the top in red block capital letters, is lying in plain sight at the reception desk. Another patient, who happens to be the person’s neighbour, notices the name together with the alert. Later that day the neighbour suddenly ends their long-term childminding arrangement with each other. The other person works out there is a connection with the dental practice and goes on to make a complaint.
Practice scenario***
A 37-year-old single mother who came as a new patient 4 years ago disclosed at the time that she had been an intravenous drug user several years before then, which led to her significant periodontal disease and missing teeth, but that she was now drug-free. However, at her six-monthly appointment she discloses she is newly diagnosed as being HIV-positive. She is currently in a steady
relationship with one of your other patients.
Practice scenario***
The father of a 9-year-old boy has contacted you seeking access to his son’s dental records. The parents are not on speaking terms, and the boy has lived with his mother since their divorce 5 years ago. The father’s sister-in-law informed him that the boy has had dental appointments for multiple extractions and fillings. The father has
suspicions about the possibility of neglect.
