PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF MEDICAL LABORATORY DATA.

CC: ALL MEDICAL LABORATORIES IN KENYA, ALL MEDICAL

DOCTORS, ALL NURSES, ALL CLINICAL STAFF AN

Definition: This is a medical practice by medical laboratory

professionals that involves maintaining and providing security to
patient information. Patient information entails a whole lot like
medical history, financial status, emotional status, identity data i.e age,
occupation, education among others.

INTRODUCTION

MLTs who have access to this information, must be cautious not to

disclose this information in a casual or unnecessary fashion.
Discussions at staff rooms, corridors or outside workplace that does
not relate directly to the healthcare 's role in caring for the patient
should be completely avoided. Sometimes privacy and confidentiality
of medical data can be violated intentionally or can be done
ignorantly. There are grave consequences to this violation, the patient
suffer from stigmatization and loss of trust to the care giver. Patients
trust us with confidential information, some information contained in
medical laboratory interface if disclosed can lead to a legal war and
loss of trust from patients. Sometimes healthcare workers or
subordinate staff overhear communications between the MLTs and the
patients. This communication is considered privileged and not be
shared with others without prior consent of the patient. A legal action
can be taken against you, you are therefore required to create "privacy
conscious" practices, which include informing patients about the use
and disclosure of their health information and require that only the
minimum amount of health information necessary be disclosed. Its the
responsibility of all medical laboratory managers to ensure their
juniors comply with this regulations.

GUIDELINES FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY OF MEDICAL

DATA.

1. Do not leave patient requisition forms, print outs, or files

unattended.

2. Do not discuss confidential matters in where others might overhear

i.e buses, hotels, elevators or staff room.

3. Access patient information when necessary.

4. Do not share passwords to management systems.

5. Ensure frequent change of password to maintain security.

6. Avoid loud communication at work especially when sharing patient

information among colleagues, this happens all the time.

7. Report suspicious activities that may compromise patient

confidentiality to the relevant authority.

8. Ensure you counter check patient email address before emailing the
results.

9. Do proper patient identification before giving laboratory results

either print out or via phone.

10. Do not disclose patient medical information to relatives without

the consent of the patient.

11. Secure your laptops,flash drives and computers if misplaced or

stolen may lead to legal war.
BENEFITS OF EXCELLENT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF
MEDICAL LABORATORY DATA.

1. Provides exceptional customer service

2. Builds loyalty and trust

3. Protects patients privacy.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PATIENT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

TO THEIR MEDICAL LABORATORY DATA?

1. Medical laboratory professionals

2. Doctors

3. Nurses

4. All clinical staff

5. Adninistrators

6. Medical students and all interns

7. Any volunteers at work place.

8. Subordinate staff

7. Board of members.

8.Guards

N/B Remember there are Kenyan laws that protects patient privacy
and confidentiality to their medical laboratory data.