CONFIDENTIALITY

Blocking Access to Information in KIDSNET

KIDSNET is family-friendly and allows parents and guardians to “block” their child’s information in KIDSNET. This can be accomplished in one of two ways:

• “Total” Block: The child’s records are blocked from view by all users, except the Department of Health staff.
• “Limited” Block: The child’s record of enrollment in WIC or Early Intervention (EI) is blocked from view by all users, except the Department of Health staff.

Please note that when parents/guardians request the “total” or “limited” block:

• They can restore the information (get rid of the block) at any time by calling the KIDSNET Help Desk.
• Authorized users at the Department of Health will still have access to the child’s information, as the Rhode Island agency responsible for public health.
• Families will not receive postcards or telephone calls from KIDSNET as reminders to schedule visits with the child’s doctor.
• The child’s information will not be included in any reports that KIDSNET sends to providers to remind them of patients who may need immunizations, lead screenings, or other services.
• The child’s pediatric provider will continue to send immunization information to KIDSNET.

If you are a parent or guardian and are interested in knowing more about restricting access to your child’s information in KIDSNET, follow these steps:

• First, contact the HEALTH Information Line at 1-800-942-7434, weekdays from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and talk to one of the KIDSNET representatives for additional information.
• If you are still interested in restricting access to your child’s information, you will need to complete a form. The Help Desk staff will send the form to your child’s doctor or to a KIDSNET affiliated office.
• The parent/guardian will then go to that office and sign the form with a staff member serving as a witness.
• The office will mail the form back to the Department of Health.
• KIDSNET staff will make the appropriate changes to the child’s record and will sign and file the form for future reference.