Quote:
Originally Posted by drforlife
I thought because of confidentiality, you really can't report individuals against their consent to the dep. health ( besides reporting the number of cases)...
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there is a list of reportable diseases each state has with timelines. here is illinois:
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTABLE DISEASES
also hippa did not change the law pertaining to reporting diseases since each state gives the health dept authority to review medical records, here is massachusets:
"Case investigations frequently require prompt access to confidential medical records for clinical, laboratory, or treatment data. Access by MDPH to hospital, clinic, and laboratory records is specifically authorized under MGL Chapter 111, §§ 5 and 7, and Chapter 111D, §6. These laws are further clarified by 105 CMR 300.000: Reportable Diseases and Isolation and Quarantine Requirements, sections 300.190 (Surveillance and Control of Diseases Dangerous to the Public Health) and 300.191 (Access to Medical Records and Other Information)."
the health dept follows to see if contacts are notified and treatment. some health depts offer anon testing hoping to get people who otherwise would not come in tested. the only difference if i recall is that hiv reporting is done by a unique patient ID number and not identifiable info....
you can also add radiation/lead poisoning to reportable diseases