Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-02-.06 - CONFIDENTIALITY

(1) T.C.A. 68-1-1006 provides for the confidentiality of data obtained from the reports of cancer patients.

(2) TCR Responsibilities

(a) The commissioner shall take strict measures to ensure that all patient identifying information is treated as confidential and privileged. All employees or consultants, including auditors of the TCR, shall sign a Tennessee Cancer Registry Employee Confidentiality Pledge and these signed pledges shall be kept on file. An employee or consultant who discloses confidential identifying information willfully or through negligence is subject to penalty, including, but not limited to, the penalty in T.C.A.68-1-1009.

(3) Protection of Report Sources

(a) Hospitals, laboratories, facilities, or health care practitioners who disclose cancer data to the Tennessee Cancer Registry or its employees in conformity with the Cancer Reporting System Act of 1983 and its amendments shall not be held liable for the release of such data to the department.

(4) Protection of Patient Identifying Information Obtained by Special Studies and Other Research Studies

(a) All identifying information such as records of interviews, questionnaires, reports, statements, notes, and memoranda that are procured or prepared by employees or agents of the Tennessee Cancer Registry shall be used solely for statistical, scientific and medical research purposes and shall be held strictly confidential by the TCR. This applies also to identifying information procured by any other person, agency, or organization, including public or private colleges and universities acting jointly with the TCR in connection with special cancer studies and health research investigations.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-02-.06

Original rule filed October 6, 1986; effective November 20, 1986. Amendment filed July 14, 1989; effective August 28, 1989. Amendment filed September 5, 1990; effective October 20, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed February 1, 2002; effective April 17, 2002.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202 and 68-l-1001 et seq.