November 2, 2001

The MGH is kicking off a campaign promoting patient confidentiality throughout the month of November, reminding employees, staff, patients and visitors about the hospital's patient confidentiality policies. The campaign begins in conjunction with

National Health Information Management Week Nov. 4 to 10, which is being recognized with information tables in the Main Corridor and near the Eat Street Cafe.

Featuring the theme "Caring for Patients while Respecting their Privacy," the campaign will include e-mails, posters, fliers, presentations at hospitalwide meetings, education training sessions and articles in hospital publications. Posters (at left), depicting images of various hospital employees, are being distributed this week to show the important responsibility that all employees have – regardless of their individual jobs – to protect patient confidentiality.

"Those of us in the health care field see and hear confidential information every day in our jobs," says Deborah Adair, director of MGH Health Information Management Services. "It sometimes is easy to forget the importance of keeping that information private – particularly in this high-tech age of computers, fax machines and pager systems. It is the responsibility of all staff and employees to keep patient information confidential. The hospital takes this responsibility very seriously. Violating confidentiality policies can lead to disciplinary action."

Below are key points in keeping patient information safe:

• Keep confidential any information that includes, but is not limited to, the patient's name, medical condition, emotional status, financial situation or other personal information.
• Be careful to access, share or discuss patient information only when it is required for an employee to do his or her job or if a patient has given permission.
• Be mindful of surroundings when discussing patient information. Avoid discussing patients in any public place.
• Keep confidential papers, reports and computer data in a secure place.
• Retrieve confidential papers from fax machines, copiers, mailboxes and conference tables as quickly as possible.
• Use technology such as fax machines, e-mail, cell phones and pagers only to support patient care activities. Do not fax information to attorneys, employers or patients.
• Always tear or shred paper copies of any document containing patient information.

For more information about patient privacy and confidentiality policies, call Adair at (617) 726-2465.