§ 34-55. Confidentiality of information and reports.

(a)

The health department is authorized to receive information from patient medical records for official purposes or functions.

(b)

The health department shall maintain the confidentiality of all medical record information abstracted by or reported to the department. The department may only release medical record information in a statistical aggregate form that precludes and prevents the identification of patient, physician, or medical facility, except that all medical record information may be shared with other public health authorities and co- investigators if such person abides by the same confidentiality restrictions required of the department.

(c)

All information, records and reports concerning persons or animals with communicable diseases or with reportable disease conditions shall be confidential and shall be inaccessible to the public.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally disseminate a false report or rumor concerning the existence of a communicable disease in any person, animal, or location within the city.

(Ord. No. 170708 , § 1, 9-28-17)