Is the confidentiality of psychiatric patients and their records specifically protected?
Yes. The confidentiality of communications by psychiatric patients and their records is protected by Massachusetts law and regulations. No person will be identified as a patient at McLean Hospital and no clinical information will be disclosed unless: (1) the patient, parent, legal guardian or healthcare agent consents in writing; (2) the disclosure is permitted by court order, state law or regulation; (3) the disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, supervision, audit or program evaluations, including peer review or utilization review; (4) the disclosure is necessary to enable the patient or someone acting on his or her behalf to pursue a claim, suit or other legal remedy, to enforce a right or to defend himself against such action; (5) the disclosure is necessary to ensure that the civil rights of the patient are protected; (6) the disclosure is necessary to ensure that the patient, or someone acting on his or her behalf, c
