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GDC Standards • Treat information about patients as confidential and only use it for the purpose it has been given • Prevent information from being accidentally revealed and prevent unauthorised access by keeping information secure at all times • In exceptional circumstances, it may be justified to make confidential patient information known without consent if it is in the public interest or the patient interest Within your role as a dental nurse you have both a legal and ethical duty to keep patient information confidential Duty of Confidentiality • Patients are Entitled to confidentiality • All team members must maintain confidentiality • Covers all information, records and treatment • Patient are entitled to confidentiality even after death As a Dental nurse/trainee you must – • Work within legislation guidelines • Work for the best interest of patient • Once registered you are liable to prosecution or legal action • You must report inappropriate behaviour also known as whistleblowing • You must keep up to date with your CPD • Whole team are bound by the duty of care with regards to a patient's confidentiality • Breach of confidentiality could lead to dismissal for misconduct Releasing Information • The patient has the opportunity to withhold permission • Must gain patient consent (written)to release information The patient, in order to give informed consent must - • Understand what agreeing to • Why we are sharing information • Who sharing with • What is being shared • The consequences • Only the minimum information is to be released • Justify decision and actions behind sharing this information • All party's information is shared with understands information is confidential • Ensure patient cannot be identified if unnecessary • Caldicott regulations (NHS guidelines on the next slide) Caldicott Regulations The NHS guidelines for releasing records The six principles are: 1. Justify the purpose 2. Don’t use patient identifiable information unless necessary 3. Only use minimum information necessary 4. Information is on a strict need to know basis 5. Be aware of responsibilities 6. Understand and comply with the law Safeguarding Information We must ensure these steps are followed- • Secure storage of information – either in locked filing cabinets or on a password protected computer • Received securely by a member of staff • Sent securely (sealed envelopes) • If necessary to dispose of any records they must be disposed of securely either by shredding or collected by an authorised carrier for correct disposal. • Do not leave where they may be accessed by unauthorised persons, anything that can lead back to a patient shouldn’t be left in sight. I know when I worked in surgery(a fair few years ago…ok maybe more than a few!) we used to print off a day list of the patients and leave it on the side, big no no! If you do have day lists printed off they should be out of sight and destroyed correctly at the end of the day. • Ensure you cannot be overheard if discussing information. Keep all confidential conversations in a room with the door closed. • Discuss personal matters with patients in private • Do not reveal attendance (not even to a spouse), you don’t know their circumstances and you could be putting them in danger if they're fleeing domestic abuse for an example. • Records kept for correct period of time which is 11 years or until a child patient reaches the age of 25 Statutory Obligation Sometimes we have a obligation to release records without the patients prior consent but only in the following circumstances - • Road Traffic Act 1988 – to identify a driver or passenger involved in a road traffic accident if facial trauma prevents other identification • If requested to do so by the Dental Practice Division of the Business Services Authority formally the DPB • When providing information to a parent or legal guardian regarding a child • When in the ‘Public interest’, suspected or known criminals ( if you see a patient is a wanted criminal you are able to give information to the police) • When requested to do so by a court order. • When requested without a court order under the prevention of Terrorism Act 1989, or Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Other Types of Records There are other types of records we keep within the dental practice such as - • Staff personnel • Invoices (equipment, materials, etc) • Laboratory slips • Study models • Referrals • Radiographs • Health and safety • Appointment book Home Study I will be emailing out some charting for you to do this week. Again this is a supplementary outcome so will need to be copied over once you’ve got your login. Please also do some research on study models… as they are also classed as confidential how long should we keep them and how should they be disposed?

http://www.hpa.org.uk/ProductsServices/Radiation/

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