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Privacy at QECQEC strives to provide quality healthcare through a range of services. As our client, you are the focus of our efforts. What happens to information about you?When you become a client of the QEC, a medical record is made. It contains your name, address, contact details, health information and the treatment you were given. Your health information or your medical record is the basis for planning your care and treatment. The healthcare professionals at the QEC who care for you compile your medical record. Every time you attend or have contact with QEC, new information is added to your record. We are required to keep medical records for 7 years after last attendance for adults, and for children until they reach the age of 25 years. The record is then destroyed using secure means such as shredding. If you are admitted to a residential service, more detailed information about QEC’s Information Privacy Policy is available in the Client Information Folder in your room. Why is this information necessary?It is necessary for us to collect and keep this information to ensure that each healthcare professional involved in your care has all the facts. So that we can all work together for your benefit while you are a client here, your health information will be shared among those health professionals in your treating team. We keep this information, together with details of your care, because it may be needed if we see you again. This information may also be used for the planning and evaluation of our care and services. In this situation, your personal details are removed so that you cannot be identified. Other routine uses of client informationInformation is used to educate staff, to plan for the future and to check that we are running an efficient service. Information that identifies you is removed before it is used for teaching purposes and for evaluating purposes. Research and auditInformation is only made available for research projects which have been approved by our Ethics and Research Committee following thorough investigation and review. Any research that uses your medical record hast to be approved of by our Ethics and Research Committee. If anything to do with the research would involve you personally, you will be contacted so you can decide if you want to take part in this research. This information may also be used for research and planning, which will help us provide better overall healthcare. Individuals who carry out research must follow strict guidelines and maintain the confidentiality of the information they access. Your health information may also be needed to help staff review the care they provide to make sure it is of the highest standard. Data from your medical record can be used for health research and planning. Whenever possible, we remove details that identify you personally when using your information for research or planning. Consequence of withholding informationWe collect information from you so that we can understand your needs and provide suitable treatment. If you choose not to tell your treating staff relevant health information, it may affect the quality and outcome of your treatment. To safeguard your own health, we ask that you provide us with accurate and complete information. Withholding relevant information may put your health at risk. We rely on information you give staff to help provide the right care for you. If you decide not to share some of your health information or restrict access to your health record, this may compromise your future care or treatment. How can you gain access to information about you?In accordance with the Health Records Act (VIC) 2001, you have the right to request access to your medical record and personal information held by the QEC. If there is information in the record which is incorrect or with which you do not agree, you have the right to request that it be amended. Requests for access to your medical record can be made in writing to: The Chief Executive Officer A fee may be charged for this service |
 
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