Privacy and confidentiality
Information about a residential aged care home
All information supplied to us is treated confidentially and is used only for the purpose of accreditation and other responsibilities of the Agency as outlined in the Aged Care Act 1997 and Accreditation Grant Principles 1999. This means specific information about a residential aged care home is not discussed with other residential aged care homes or members of the public without permission.
The publication of information is done in accordance with the Accreditation Grant Principles 1999 and the Aged Care Act 1997.
Information provided by residents or their representatives
The privacy and confidentiality of residents are upheld at all times, for example:
- the residential aged care home is not informed verbally or in writing of the names of residents or representatives interviewed by the team
- interview notes are de-identified
- even when de-identified, interview records are not left in view of anyone at the residential aged care home
- the report prepared at the end of each visit does not disclose the identities of residents or their representatives interviewed.
Information provided by staff
The information provided by staff is not considered to be confidential and must be relayed to management if there is the potential for non-compliance or if immediate rectification or follow-up is required.
We also recognise that revealing sources of information may hinder the readiness of staff to provide information. The identities of staff are therefore only revealed if this information is necessary to the approved provider, or if it is unavoidable.
Staff may contact the Agency or assessors separately from the formal assessment in a manner which protects their identity.
All information provided by staff is verified by the assessment team through other sources such as additional interviews with staff and residents, document review, and observation.
