(1) Cancer registry information shall be used only for statistical, scientific, medical research and public health purposes. Contractors and designees must comply with chapter
70.02 RCW regarding the disclosure of patient health care information.
(2) The department may release confidential registry information for research purposes after the research project has been reviewed and approved by an institutional review board and a confidentiality agreement is negotiated (a copy of the institutional review board procedures and application are available from the department).
(3) The department may release confidential registry information for projects to assess threats to public health or improve public health practice after the project has been reviewed and approved by the department and a data-sharing agreement is negotiated (a copy of the procedures for data-sharing agreements is available from the department).
(4) Cancer diagnosis or treatment facilities may require contractors or designees to sign an agreement of confidentiality regarding access and release of cancer data and prepare, administer, and maintain confidentiality oaths as needed.
(5) Cancer diagnosis or treatment facilities shall adhere to recommendations in RCW
70.54.260 regarding content of confidentiality agreement if confidentiality agreements are used.
(6) Cancer diagnosis and treatment centers shall make available to cancer patients printed information which describes the purpose of the state cancer registry, the statutory requirements which apply to health care facilities, independent clinical laboratories, and other principal health care providers to identify and report cases of cancer to the state cancer registry, and to protect the confidential information that is reported, the public health and research uses of information in the state cancer registry, the circumstances under which cancer registry information is disclosed for these purposes and the relevant RCW and WAC pertaining to the state cancer registry.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.54.270, 43.20.050, 43.70.130. 01-04-086, § 246-102-070, filed 2/7/01, effective 3/10/01.]