CENTRAL OHIO MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
Subject:
Confidentiality
Section:
03.03.01.00
Effective Date: 04/01/2005
Approved by: ____________________________________
Victoria Hartley, Board President
PURPOSE:
This policy establishes general guidelines for the handling of confidential
information.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Central Ohio Mental Health Center that information provided
by clients to any staff member in the center is confidential information. This information is only
to be shared with other staff on a need-to-know basis and may only be shared with non-staff or
other agencies with the written authorization of the client or when the law requires that such
information be shared.
Confidentiality
I.
The confidentiality of information is a trust. Clients come to the center for help with
problems that they consider to be extremely sensitive and private. It is, therefore, the
obligation of every staff member to preserve this trust. Confidentiality includes, but is
not limited to,
A.
B.
C.
D.
The fact that a person is attending or receiving mental health and/or alcohol
and/or drug abuse services at the Center,
Financial information about the client,
All information incorporated into the client record, and
Any contact the staff member has with a client within the Center or within the
purview of the client relationship.
II.
Confidential client information may only be disclosed according to the Center’s Use and
Disclosure of Protected Health Information policy and procedures (#08.01.03.00).
Federal laws do not protect any threat to commit a crime, any information about a crime
committed by a client either at the Center or against any person who works for the
Center. Additionally, Federal laws and regulations do not protect any information about
suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under state law to appropriate
state or local authorities.
III.
Violation of confidentiality is a violation of client trust. Such violation is a serious
personnel issue. Disciplinary actions will be taken against employees who violate
confidentiality. COMHC reserves the right to terminate an employee immediately for
violation of client confidentiality. Depending on the circumstances, other disciplinary
actions may include, but are not limited to letters of reprimand, suspension, or demotion.
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IV.
In addition to the above sanctions, COMHC will, in the case of licensed employees,
inform consumers of the availability of further action through complaints to the
appropriate licensure board. If the violation of confidentiality appears to be a criminal
offense, the Executive Director or his/her designee will report said offense to the
appropriate legal agency.
V.
If staff members have questions about appropriateness of sharing information, they
should discuss it with their supervisor or the Executive Director.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The Executive Director is responsible for the communication and implementation of this policy
and any subsequent procedures that are applicable.
Revised:
03/24/2005
Approved:
02/01/2002
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