(Photo courtesy of UC Public Relations)
Jenny Buckholz, Fernald Medical Monitoring program manager (left), reviews program records. Diligent follow-up is largely responsible for the program's success.

Program Records:
We strive to maintain strict confidentiality and security of the information we collect. Code numbers (rather than names) are stamped on all forms when feasible.

Paper Records

• All paper records are kept in an office building that is separate from the building where the medical examinations are conducted. Medical charts and radiographic films (x-rays) are kept at this site, protected by a security system.
• As needed for medical examinations, charts are transported to the Fairfield Medical Arts Building,
• For most diagnostic tests, participants are identified only by the ID number and not their name.
• Information about the examinations or from the questionnaire is not given to any party other than the participant or their physician, and only if the participant signs a form requesting that results be sent to the physician. We never provide information to insurance companies, and do not fill out school physical forms or other similar forms. However, at any time, they may have a copy of anything in their medical record.

Computer database

• The test data, questionnaire responses and examination findings are entered into a computer database, but only your identification number is used for confidentiality. The link between your identification number and name is kept in a separate, secure portion of the database.
• The computer system is housed entirely in the medical records area, and is not connected or networked to any computers outside that area.
• The entire computer system is password protected.

No one outside of the Fernald Medical Monitoring Program (FMMP) will have access to the information that is collected except as authorized by the Fernald Settlement Fund Trustees. If other scientists' wish to use the information for research, they must apply for access to the data by completing a written application, which is then reviewed by the Citizen's Advisory Committee, Dr. Wones, and the Fernald Trustees. If all approve, the data is provided without identifiers (name, address, phone number) other than the identification number.

If authorized by the Fernald Settlement Fund Trustees, scientific data or medical information may be analyzed and presented in court, at scientific meetings, or in professional journals so that the over all results of this Program may be useful to others. However, presentation of results will not include names or other identifying information which might compromise the right to privacy. Every reasonable effort shall be made to ensure anonymity.