The CPC (Control of Patient Information) Code of Practice applies to the handling of patient information by NHS organizations and contractors in England and Wales. The CPC code of practice provides guidance on the handling of patient information by NHS organizations and contractors and promotes good practice in the collection, use, and sharing of patient information.
The CPC code of practice applies to the handling of patient information by NHS organizations and contractors in England and Wales. This includes, but not limited to, records management companies that are contracted by the NHS to provide records management services. The CPC code of practice sets out the principles and rules that must be followed when handling patient information and provides guidance on how to handle patient information in a way that is compliant with the law and respects the rights and dignity of patients.
The code of practice has several key points related to records management, including:
Confidentiality: Patient information must be kept confidential and only shared with those who have a legitimate need to know.
Data protection: Patient information must be protected against unauthorized access, alteration, and disclosure.
Data retention and destruction: Patient information must be retained for the required period, and then destroyed or deleted when it is no longer needed.
Data accuracy: Patient information must be accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
Data security: Patient information must be stored in a secure manner, and appropriate security measures must be in place to protect against data breaches.
Here is a checklist that could be used to ensure satisfaction of all the points required by the CPC in relation to records management:
Confidentiality:
Implement strict access controls to patient information
Train staff on confidentiality and data protection
Review access rights regularly
Data protection:
Regularly review and update security protocols
Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments
Implement data encryption
Implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans
Data retention and destruction:
Retain patient information for the required period
Have a process in place for the destruction or deletion of patient information when it is no longer needed
Regularly review and update retention schedules
Data accuracy:
Implement a process for maintaining the accuracy of patient information
Regularly review and update patient information
Provide staff with training on data accuracy and completeness
Data security:
Regularly review and update security protocols
Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments
Implement data encryption
Implement disaster recovery
Records management companies that are contracted by the NHS to provide records management services must comply with the CPC code of practice, as well as other regulations and legislation that govern the handling of patient information such as GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means that records management companies must implement strict security protocols, ensure data retention and destruction in compliance with regulations, provide secure storage solutions and provide expert guidance on regulatory requirements to ensure that patient information is handled in a safe and compliant manner.
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