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Audit of disposal of clinically confidential information

Central and North West London Mental Health Trust

Zahir Khan, Senior House Officer in Psychiatry

Central and North West London Mental Health Trust

James Warner, Senior Lecturer/Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry

Imperial College London, Department of Psychiatry, Paterson Centre, 20 South Wharf Road, London W2 1PD.

Declaration of interest

None.

Correspondence: E-mail: j.warner{at}imperial.ac.uk

AIMS AND METHOD

We conducted a 3-cycle audit of disposal of clinically sensitive information in a mental health unit, in order to identify and reduce potential breaches in patients’ confidentiality. Material from waste bins in administrative areas of a mental health unit was examined every evening during each period of the audit.

RESULTS

The first search, conducted over a 3-week period, yielded 11 documents containing highly-sensitive information about patients. After feedback to staff and improvement of shredding facilities, no sensitive information was found during the follow-up 3-week survey, 3 months later. However, a third survey 2 years later found 24 highly-sensitive items after one week, despite shredding facilities being maintained.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Changes in behaviour identified in this audit appear to be due to education rather than improved facilities. All staff involved in patient care need to maintain awareness of the need for safe disposal of confidential material.