A clinical responsibility: maintaining the confidentiality of patient information

A program to insure the confidentiality of patient information is described along with suggested policies and procedures. Two categories of patient information are discussed. Departmental policies should reflect the institution's policy and specify which employees may have access to the information in a patient's medical record. These policies should relate to professional staff, faculty members, pharmacy students, and supportive personnel. Employees must be made aware that a patient's medical record is confidential and cannot be disclosed without the patient's authorization. The need for maintaining the confidentiality of information on drug usage is also discussed. Specific guidelines are suggested regarding the availability, storage, release, and disposal of records of drug usage. Pharmacy administrators are encouraged to study institutional policies, to develop departmental guidelines for protecting the confidentiality of patient information, and to familiarize employees with established policies.