CONFIDENTIALITY

The KIDSNET data system is the property of the Rhode Island Department of Health and is used to ensure that all children in Rhode Island receive appropriate preventive healthcare services.

Although KIDSNET data is public health information, it is only available to authorized professionals on a “need to know” basis. That means that professionals who are granted access to KIDSNET can only use it to get information needed for treating or coordinating children’s care.

KIDSNET protects the information in the system very carefully. KIDSNET follows these practices to assure confidentiality:

• Confidentiality Agreements from Authorized Users. Before getting access to KIDSNET, authorized users must sign statements of confidentiality that are in line with the Access to Public Records, Rhode Island General Laws § 38-2-2(d)(1)(1-19). Each authorized practice or authorized agency must also sign a KIDSNET User Agreement with the Department of Health that says they will follow the Confidentiality of Health Care Information Act, Rhode Island General Laws § 5-37.3 and recognize that any use of this information for purposes other than those specifically stated in the KIDSNET User Agreement is a violation of the law and subject to penalties.
• Compliance with the Privacy Rule. KIDSNET complies with HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) Privacy Rule, 45 Code of Federal Regulations, CFR § 164.512. The Privacy Rule allows healthcare professionals to share protected health information with a public health authority (such as the Department of Health) for “preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability.”
• System monitoring. KIDSNET looks at daily reports to monitor activity by all authorized users.
• Parental Notification. KIDSNET makes a great effort to notify parents and guardians that their child’s information is in KIDSNET, especially because individual parental consent to include children’s data is not required. Click here for more information about how KIDSNET communicates to parents and guardians.
• Access to Parents and Guardians. KIDSNET makes sure that each child’s information is accessible to parents or legal guardians. Primary care providers, who participate in KIDSNET, will produce printed copies of data for parents and guardians upon request.