CHAPTER 4. MEDICAL DATA REGARDING CAUSE OF DEATH

IC 16-37-4
    Chapter 4. Medical Data Regarding Cause of Death

IC 16-37-4-1
Legislative declaration
    Sec. 1. Medical studies of conditions causing death and disability,especially stillbirth, infant mortality, and maternal mortality:
        (1) are an important means of protecting the health of thepublic;
        (2) provide information useful in the prevention and control ofdisease; and
        (3) are an excellent source of teaching material.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.20.

IC 16-37-4-2
Reports; exemption from liability
    Sec. 2. (a) A licensed physician, hospital, sanitarium, healthfacility, or similar organization or institution may provideinformation relating to the condition, treatment, and causes of deathand other information concerning any person to the state healthcommissioner or to the commissioner's authorized representatives,including reports on forms prepared by the commissioner for thepurpose of permitting the studies and research.
    (b) A person, an organization, an institution, or an agencyfurnishing information under subsection (a) to the state healthcommissioner or the commissioner's representative is not subject toan action for damages or other relief.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.20.

IC 16-37-4-3
Confidentiality; medical research or education use
    Sec. 3. (a) The state health commissioner or the commissioner'sauthorized representative shall do the following:
        (1) Keep the information and reports confidential.
        (2) Use the information and reports solely as follows:
            (A) For the purpose of medical or scientific research andmedical education.
            (B) For the improvement of the quality of medical carethrough the conducting of medical audits.
            (C) To furnish the information to the following:
                (i) A medical school located in Indiana.
                (ii) An in-hospital medical staff committee.
                (iii) A study or research committee of a state association,an incorporation, or an organization whose membership iscomposed of licensed physicians.
    (b) Information or reports furnished by the state healthcommissioner may not disclose the name or identity of a patientwhose records have been included in the information.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.20.
IC 16-37-4-4
Summary of studies
    Sec. 4. A summary of the studies may be released by the statehealth commissioner, the medical school, or the committee forgeneral publication for the purpose of advancing medical research ormedical education in the interest of reducing morbidity or mortality.The identity of a person whose condition or treatment has beenstudied is confidential and privileged and may not be revealed.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.20.