1. Purpose
To provide advice to The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) how RCH protects the privacy of patient and staff personal information.
2. Scope
All RCH staff.
3. Definition of terms
Personal Information is factual data or opinion about an individual
who may be identified, directly or indirectly, by the material. It can
be in any medium including electronic or paper records, video or audio
recordings, clinical photography, x-rays, or labels on pathology
samples.
Examples include:
- An individual's name, signature, address, phone number or date of birth
- Bank account details
- Employee record information
- Photographs.
Sensitive information is personal information that includes information or an opinion about an individual's:
- Racial or ethnic origin
- Political opinions or associations
- Religious beliefs or affiliations
- Philosophical beliefs
- Membership of a professional or trade association
- Sexual orientation or practices, or criminal record
- Health information.
Health information is defined as information or opinion about:
- The health or disability of an individual
- Past, present, and future provision of health services
- Other personal information collected to provide or in providing a health service
- Other personal information collected in connection with organ, tissue, or body substance donation
- Genetic information.
Policy
From
8th August 2020, a shared Electronic Medical Record (EMR) between RCH, the
Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer
Centre (the Parkville Health Services) will allow the Parkville Health Services
to access a patient’s record if that patient has been treated at any of the
Parkville Health Services. Staff at each of the Parkville Health Services are
required to adhere to their health service’s policies and /procedures regarding
the collection, use, and disclosure of patient information, including this policy.
Staff must only access records contained in the EMR as required as part of
their role (e.g. if involved in or supporting care and treatment of that patient).
Access to the EMR is audited regularly to monitor staff compliance. The records
may not be retained locally or deleted. They may not be printed, disclosed,
used, or amended for reasons other than patient care and treatment and only in
accordance with RCH policies and procedures.
In accordance with legislation and with procedures, RCH is committed to
ensure the privacy of personal information and its appropriate usage.
RCH is committed to;
- Meeting all legislative requirements
- Ensuring the privacy of patients and staff information
- Ensuring personal information is kept in a safe and secure environment
- Ensuring access to personal information is appropriately monitored
- Ensuring that information collected is accurate, objective and factual
- Informing staff about the correct management of person information and ensuring its privacy
- Informing staff, patients, and their families about their rights to access personal information
- Ensuring all data breaches are investigated and assessed, and eligible data breaches are notified to the appropriate authority.
Responsibility
Chief Financial Officer.
Related procedures
Related policies
Related legislation
Click here to access copies of the following legislation on the Victorian Government web-site.
- Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
- Children and Young Person's Act 1989
- Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic)
- Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Vic)
-
Freedom of
Information Regulations 1998 (Vic)
-
Health Records
Act 2001 (Vic)
-
Health Services
Act 1988 (Vic)
- Mental Health Act 2014
- Privacy and Data
Protection Act 2014 (Vic)
- Public Records
Act 1973
Vision
This policy and associated procedures are integral to the RCH achieving its vision of 'A world where all kids thrive'.
Values
- Curious
We are creative, playful and collaborative. - Courageous
We pursue our goals with determination, ambition and confidence. - Inclusive
We embrace diversity, communicate well, build connections and celebrate our successes together. - Kind
We are generous, warm and understanding.