classification of CONFIDENTIAL. To avoid confusion, this status will be referred to as
private rather than confidential.
(3) Privileged communication. The term "privileged communication" refers to a
disclosure made within a confidential relationship that, as a matter of public policy, is
protected. Information disclosed by patients to AMEDD health personnel is not privileged,
whereas information confided to one's personal lawyer is privileged.
(4) Medical information. "Medical information" includes all information related
to evaluations, findings, diagnoses, or treatment of a patient and any other information
given to AMEDD health personnel in the course of treatment or evaluation. Medical
information is confidential and private. Paramedical documents such as immunization
registers and dosimetry records are not considered medical information even though they
are kept in the same file with medical records.
2-2. LEGISLATIVE GUIDELINES
Two legislative acts of Congress govern the use of and access to information. They are:
a. Privacy Act of 1974. This legislation protects the rights of the individual citizen.
Its purpose is:
(1) To safeguard the personal privacy of the individual from the unauthorized
collection of information by the Federal Government.
(2) To protect the individual from the misuse of information in Federal
Government records.
(3)
To ensure the individual of access to government records which concern
him/her.
b. Freedom of Information Act. This Legislation ensures two primary rights relating
to the availability of information: Its purpose is:
(1) To provide the greatest possible access to any records kept by the Federal
Government - not just to records containing information of a personal nature.
(2) To provide exemption from public disclosure for certain categories of
information or records related to individuals when disclosure may constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
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