ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN RECORD KEEPING (THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY)

DEFINING CONFIDENTIALITY THE OBLIGATION OF PROFESSIONALS TO RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF THE CLIENTS AND THE INFORMATION THEY PROVIDE (HANDELSMAN, 1987). GOES BEYOND RECORD-KEEPING COVERS ALL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CLIENT AND COUNSELOR

PURPOSE OF CONFIDENTIALITY PURPOSE IS TO ENCOURAGE HONEST DISCLOSURE BY CLIENT PROTECT CLIENT FROM HARM I.E. DISCRIMINATION

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS: LIABILITY AND LEGAL ISSUES PRIVILIGED COMMUNICATION 42-CFR-PART 2 HIPAA (HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996) WORKING WITH MINORS CONFIDENTIALITY CAN NEVER BE GUARANTEED

EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY: THREATS TO SELF THREATS TO OTHERS (DUTY TO WARN) CHILD ABUSE/VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE CRIMES ON PREMISES MEDICAL EMERGENCY ON PREMISES INTRAGENCY COMMUNICATION COURT SUBPOENAS WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM CLIENT

POINTS TO REMEMBER RE: 42-CFR-PART TWO APPLIES TO FEDERALLY FUNDED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITIES. INACTED TO PROTECT POTENTIAL, CURRENT, AND PAST CLIENTS. RESTRICTS DISCLOSURE OF PATIENT IDENTIFYING INFORMATION. VIOLATIONS INCLUDE FINES, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSE.

HIPAA GUIDELINES ENACTED IN ORDER TO PROTECT PATIENT’S/CLIENT’S PRIVACY IN A HEALTHCARE SETTING, BUT ALSO TO STILL PERMIT IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO BE USED IN TERMS OF CONTINUITY OF CARE AND BILLING. SPECIFICALLY SET UP TO PROTECT PATIENT’S/CLIENT’S ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PRIVATE INFORMATION.

GUIDELINES ON PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY DO NOT LEAVE CHARTS OUT IN THE OPEN DO NOT CONVERSE ABOUT A CLIENT OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY

GUIDELINES DO NOT POST CLIENT’S NAMES OUT IN THE OPEN USE PLAIN ENVELOPES FOR MAILINGS. DO NOT TAKE RECORDS OF ANY KIND HOME WITH YOU.

GUIDELINES ONLY INCLUDE PERTINENT INFORMATION IN YOUR DOCUMENTATION .(ABRIDGEMENT) RELEASE OF INFORMATION ONLY WITH WRITTEN CONSENT

GUIDELINES ALL RECORDS SHOULD BE KEPT IN ONE AREA. AFTER HOURS THE FILE CABINENTS SHOULD BE UNDER LOCK AND KEY. KNOW PROPER PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING FILES.

GUIDELINES HAVE A SECURE STORAGE PLACE FOR TERMINATED FILES AND PROPER METHOD OF DESTROYING OLD FILES TO PROTECT CLIENT’S PRIVACY.