Cu2479 Promote Good Practice in Handing Information in Health and Social Care Settings

CU2479 Promote Good Practice in Handing Information in Health and Social Care Settings
Outcome 1 Understand requirements for handling information in health and social care settings
1.1 Identify legislation and codes of practice that relate to handling information in health and social care
The Data Protection Act 1998
Health and Social Care Act 2001
Article 8 for The European Convention on Human Rights
1.2 Summarise the main points of legal requirements and codes of practice for handling information in health and social care
The Data Protection Act 1998.
The Act defines personal data as information which relates to a living individual who can be identified from the data or from the data and other information that the data controller is in possession of or is likely to become in possession of. This information may be in electronic or manual form (i.e. paper).
The main principals of the act are:
• The data must be fairly and lawfully processed and shall not be processed if certain conditions are not met.
• The data must only be obtained for one or more lawful purposes.
• The data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive to the purpose for which the data are required.
• The data must be accurate and where necessary, kept up to date.
• The data must be kept no longer than necessary.
• The data must be processed in accordance with the rights of the individual.
• The data must be kept secure against unlawful or unauthorised processing, accidental loss or erasure.
• The data must not be transferred to a country outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) unless that country ensures an adequate level of protection.
Health and Social Care Act 2001.
Section 60 of this Act gives the Secretary of State for Health the power to make regulations to authorise or require health service bodies to disclose patient information, including data which is patient-identifiable, which is needed to support essential NHS activity, in the interests of improving patient care or in the wider public interest. Proposed regulations have been drafted to authorise or require disclosure in order to monitor diseases, including communicable diseases, for occupational health purposes and for medical research.

Article 8 for The European Convention on Human Rights
The European Convention was brought into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998. Article 8 states:
1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
This means that an individual's wish to protect his or her privacy must be balanced against the needs of the relevant public authority to obtain or use specified information.
Outcome 2 Be able to implement good practice in handling information
2.1 Describe features of manual and electronic information storage systems that help ensure security.
A manual information storage system must be made of strong materials and have a lock, e.g., a safe with a keypad code or a metal filing cabinet with a lock.
An electronic information storage system should have password protection, encrypted and antimalware software.
2.2 Demonstrate practices that ensure security when storing and accessing information.
I have demonstrated this by storing manual data in a metal filing cabinet which has a key lock.
When accessing data I ensure that there is not anybody around who could obtain any information, e.g., whilst filling out paperwork at work there is a customer who will read what you are writing over your shoulder so I ensure that they are not there. If they are I go elsewhere, if they approach me I cover the data and put it away if I have to leave the location for any reason.
2.3 Maintain records that are up to date, complete, accurate and legible.
On each shift I complete daily support notes for each customer for that day, One to one activity support notes, medication records (MARS) and update care plans and Person Centred Plans as required. I ensure they are complete by carrying out a handover at the end of each shift. I put in all information and keep it factual so that it is accurate. I ensure I have enough time to fill out paperwork so that it is written legibly and not rushed.
Outcome 3 Be able to support others to handle information
3.1 Support others to understand the need for secure handling of information
I refer staff to The Oaklea Trust Policy and Procedure regarding confidentiality. I explain the importance of keeping data locked away and not left lying around the house. When the need arises for me to pass on information of a personal nature I ensure the individual has given me permission and that I only inform people that need to know, e.g., a disclosure of abuse must be passed on to my line manager or on call as the policy states. I inform the individual that I will have to do this and why. OR if a family member requests information I explain that it cannot be disclosed as it is confidential and advise them to speak to the customer, supervisor or line manager. When visitors are in the house I ensure that anybody holding a conversation regarding personal data i.e. a social worker and a key worker holding a meeting with a customer cannot be overheard by any staff, customers, visitors, workmen, other professionals, etc
3.2 Support others to understand and contribute to records
When a new member of staff starts I explain how the records are completed and stored and actively encourage them to fill in the paperwork. I carry out a handover at the end of each shift to ensure this has been done. I also encourage the staff member that has worked with each customer to complete the relevant paperwork. Regular staff meetings. Keep up to date with training.
Individuals assessing care or support, it is the supervisors responsibility to organise reviews, however, when updating paperwork I regularly check the dates on care plans and reviews for the next due date and I pass it on to my supervisor when the date is near. The new care plans and reviews are placed in the relevant customer file and a note in the communication book to ensure everybody is aware and can then read it