AIDS Project Worcester will treat all consumer records as confidential in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
A confidential individual file will be maintained on all consumers receiving services from APW. Files are kept in locked file cabinets, which are located in a locked room within APW. Only authorized staff, trained interns and volunteers have access to client files.
Consumers must provide written, informed consent before any information can be released to others. This includes releasing the results of HIV testing, talking with family members, or making referrals to other service providers and treatment facilities.
M.G.L. c. 12, Section 135A, provides that a social worker may disclose confidential communications if:
The client has communicated an explicit threat to kill or inflict serious bodily injury upon a reasonably identified victim or victims with the apparent intent and ability to carry out the threat or the client have a history of physical violence, which is known to the staff person, and the staff person has a reasonable basis to believe that a client will kill or inflict serious bodily injury on a reasonably identified victim.
Staff persons may also disclose confidential communications if:
- There is suspected abuse of a child or elder
- The client is in danger as a result of being the victim of an abusive situation
We ask that consumers protect the confidentiality of the other consumers they may meet at APW by not divulging another individual’s HIV status without their permission, under any circumstances.