Under the health information privacy code developed through the act, doctors cant share the details of a patients case, with a few exceptions. A doctor is allowed to disclose information to the family of a patient who is about to be or has been released under the Mental Health Act. And a doctor is allowed to disclose information to a person who can actually help prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to public health or safety, or to the life or health of the patient or another individual. The problem is, no-one seems to agree on when someone is sick enough that there is an imminent threat to their life. The problems arent just with sharing information between the medical professionals and the family, says Judge MacLean. Various coroners recommendations show medics arent talking to each other enough about their patients, or to other authorities such as police. Theres a breakdown in communication about the seriousness of the situation, says Judge MacLean.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 22:03:35 +0000
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