Confidentiality

95% of practices had risks associated with maintaining confidentiality and with Caldicott principles.

Common issues:

  • Breaches of confidentiality in waiting rooms and reception areas.
  • Staff contracts do not include a clause covering confidentiality postemployment.
  • Not all patient identifiable information is shredded.Security of records.
  • Computers left unattended.

Case

At a practice, one set of the computer back-up tapes were stored in a drawer in the practice manager’s office and another set taken home by an administrator.

Risk advice

Store a set of computer back-up tapes in the fireproof safe on the premises. Consider the security of taking the tapes off the premises. If back-up tapes are taken off site these should also be stored securely and safely.

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