                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF INFORMATION SUPPLIED; PUBLICATION; LIABILITY PROTECTIONS
(§ 32.1-116.2)

A. The Commissioner and all other persons to whom data is submitted shall keep
patient information confidential. Mechanisms for protecting patient data shall
be developed and continually evaluated to ascertain their effectiveness. No
publication of information, research or medical data shall be made which
identifies the patients by names or addresses, except as specified in subsection
B. The Commissioner or his designees may utilize institutional data in order to
improve the quality of and appropriate access to emergency medical services and
to improve the health of citizens of the Commonwealth.

B. In accordance with the State Board of Health&#8217;s regulations and
applicable federal law and regulations, the Commissioner may disclose
information, research, or medical data that identifies patients by name or
address if the Commissioner determines that such disclosure is necessary to
develop and implement programs that improve the quality of patient care, improve
access to medical services, or make other system improvements. The Commissioner
shall only disclose such information with entities, including but not limited to
other Virginia state agencies and programs, federal agencies and programs, the
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or recognized research
institutions and organizations, that seek to improve quality of care, improve
access to medical services, or make other system improvements.

C. No individual, licensed emergency medical services agency, hospital, Regional
Emergency Medical Services Council or organization advising the Commissioner
shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from any act or omission
preformed as required by this article unless such act or omission was the result
of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

HISTORY: 1987, c. 480; 2020, c. 883.