I understand that while performing official duties as a member of the Wilmington Mental Health workforce I may have access to information that is classified as either confidential, sensitive or protected health information. Confidential information is information that identifies an individual or an employing unit. Sensitive information may be financial or operational information that requires the maintenance of its integrity and assurance of its accuracy and completeness. Protected Health Information (PHI) means any individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium. Confidential, sensitive, protected health information is not open to the public. Special precautions are necessary to protect this type of information from unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, or destruction.
I agree to protect the following types of information:
• Patient information
• All data elements described as PHI in HIPAA (section 164.514)
• Wage earner information
• Information about how automated systems are accessed and operate
• Any other proprietary information
• Operational information
I agree to protect confidential, sensitive and protected health information by:
• Accessing, using, or modifying confidential and/or sensitive and/or protected health information only for the purpose of performing my official duties.
• Not sharing passwords with unauthorized individuals or storing passwords in a location accessible to unauthorized persons.
• Not accessing or using confidential and/or sensitive and/or protected health information out of curiosity, or for personal interest or advantage.
• Not showing, discussing, or disclosing confidential and/or sensitive and/or protected health information to or with anyone who does not have the legal authority or the “need to know”.
• Not removing confidential and/or sensitive and/or protected health information from the work area without authorization.
• Disposing confidential and/or sensitive and/or protected health information by utilizing an approved method of destruction, which includes shredding, burning, or certified or witnessed destruction.
• Not disposing of confidential and/or sensitive and/or protected health information in wastebasket or recycle container.
Penalties:
Unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, or destruction is strictly prohibited by state and federal laws. The penalties for unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, or destruction may include disciplinary action and/or criminal or civil action.
“I certify that I have read and understand the Confidentiality Statement printed above.”