Confidentiality of illustrative clinical records-a code of practice, guidance notes and recommendations

Abstract

In The Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine 1984 7, (1) an advisory document with this title, generated by the North East Thames Regional Health Authority Audiovisual Advisory Committee for the Regional Medical and Scientific Committees, was published. On the basis of the recommendations therein; the Regional Medical Committee asked for A Code of Practice with respect to illustrative clinical recording to be formulated, the operative part of which is reproduced in this article. The code has now been adopted as policy in the NE Thames Region and copies have been forwarded to the National Scientific Officer for examination. The document advises all grades of personnel in health-related professions (as well as administrators) on measures to protect patients from misuse of illustrative records and reduce the circumstances under which legal proceedings against the health authority can arise. The code hinges chiefly on the use of a patient's consent to recording procedure. Exemptions from the standard procedure and alternative courses of action within an ethical framework are described. A system of registration or accreditation of personnel is suggested, so that only those legitimately engaged in this work are permitted to operate. Advice to help protect patients from invasion of privacy by the media and other external operators is supplied.