A mandate, obligation, requirement, rule, or expectation characterizing the value or importance of a resource and may include its vulnerability. (Based on ISO7498-2:1989. Note: The vulnerability of personally identifiable sensitive information may be based on concerns that the unauthorized disclosure may result in social stigmatization or discrimination.) Description: Types of Sensitivity policy that apply to Acts or Roles. A sensitivity policy is adopted by an enterprise or group of enterprises (a 'policy domain') through a formal data use agreement that stipulates the value, importance, and vulnerability of information. A sensitivity code representing a sensitivity policy may be associated with criteria such as categories of information or sets of information identifiers (e.g., a value set of clinical codes or branch in a code system hierarchy). These criteria may in turn be used for the Policy Decision Point in a Security Engine. A sensitivity code may be used to set the confidentiality code used on information about Acts and Roles to trigger the security mechanisms required to control how security principals (i.e., a person, a machine, a software application) may act on the information (e.g., collection, access, use, or disclosure). Sensitivity codes are never assigned to the transport or business envelope containing patient specific information being exchanged outside of a policy domain as this would disclose the information intended to be protected by the policy. When sensitive information is exchanged with others outside of a policy domain, the confidentiality code on the transport or business envelope conveys the receiver's responsibilities and indicates the how the information is to be safeguarded without unauthorized disclosure of the sensitive information. This ensures that sensitive information is treated by receivers as the sender intends, accomplishing interoperability without point to point negotiations.

Usage Note: Sensitivity codes are not useful for interoperability outside of a policy domain because sensitivity policies are typically localized and vary drastically across policy domains even for the same information category because of differing organizational business rules, security policies, and jurisdictional requirements. For example, an employee's sensitivity code would make little sense for use outside of a policy domain. 'Taboo' would rarely be useful outside of a policy domain unless there are jurisdictional requirements requiring that a provider disclose sensitive information to a patient directly. Sensitivity codes may be more appropriate in a legacy system's Master Files in order to notify those who access a patient's orders and observations about the sensitivity policies that apply. Newer systems may have a security engine that uses a sensitivity policy's criteria directly. The specializable InformationSensitivityPolicy Act.code may be useful in some scenarios if used in combination with a sensitivity identifier and/or Act.title.

Types of sensitivity policies that apply to Acts. Act.confidentialityCode is defined in the RIM as "constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Act, regardless of mood."

Usage Note: ActSensitivity codes are used to bind information to an Act.confidentialityCode according to local sensitivity policy so that those confidentiality codes can then govern its handling across enterprises. Internally to a policy domain, however, local policies guide the access control system on how end users in that policy domain are able to use information tagged with these sensitivity values.

Policy for handling alcohol or drug-abuse information, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to alcohol or drug-abuse information that is deemed sensitive.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling genetic disease information, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to genetic disease information that is deemed sensitive.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling HIV or AIDS information, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to HIV or AIDS information that is deemed sensitive.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred while the patient was in the military, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Access control concerns for military sexual trauma is based on the patient being subject to control by a higher ranking military perpetrator and/or censure by others within the military unit. Due to the relatively unfettered access to healthcare information by higher ranking military personnel and those who have command over the patient, there is a need to sequester this information outside of the typical controls on access to military health records.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information about an individual's current or past pregnancy status, deemed sensitive by the individual or by policy, which may be afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note:

Information about a patient's current or past pregnancy status may be considered sensitive in circumstances in which that status could result in discrimination or stigmatization.

Policy for handling sickle cell disease information, which is afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols are based on organizational policies related to sickle cell disease information, which is deemed sensitive.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then the Act valued with this ActCode should be associated with an Act valued with any applicable laws from the ActPrivacyLaw code system.

Policy for handling sexual assault, abuse, or domestic violence information, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to sexual assault, abuse, or domestic violence information that is deemed sensitive.

SDV code covers violence perpetrated by related and non-related persons. This code should be specific to physical and mental trauma caused by a related person only. The access control concerns are keeping the patient safe from the perpetrator who may have an abusive psychological control over the patient, may be stalking the patient, or may try to manipulate care givers into allowing the perpetrator to make contact with the patient. The definition needs to be clarified.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling sexuality and reproductive health information, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to sexuality and reproductive health information that is deemed sensitive.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information deemed specially protected by law or policy including substance abuse, substance use, psychiatric, mental health, behavioral health, and cognitive disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to behavioral and emotional disturbances affecting social adjustment and physical health, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to cognitive disability disorders and conditions caused by these disorders, which are afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Examples may include dementia, traumatic brain injury, attention deficit, hearing and visual disability such as dyslexia and other disorders and related conditions which impair learning and self-sufficiency. However, the cognitive disabilities to which this term may apply versus other behavioral health categories varies by jurisdiction and organizational policy in part due to overlap with other behavioral health conditions. Implementers should constrain to those diagnoses applicable in the domain in which this code is used.

Policy for handling information related to developmental disability disorders and conditions caused by these disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

A diverse group of chronic conditions that are due to mental or physical impairments impacting activities of daily living, self-care, language acuity, learning, mobility, independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Examples may include Down syndrome and Autism spectrum. However, the developmental disabilities to which this term applies versus other behavioral health categories varies by jurisdiction and organizational policy in part due to overlap with other behavioral health conditions. Implementers should constrain to those diagnoses applicable in the domain in which this code is used.

Policy for handling information related to emotional disturbance disorders and conditions caused by these disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Typical used to characterize behavioral and mental health issues of adolescents where the disorder may be temporarily diagnosed in order to avoid the potential and unnecessary stigmatizing diagnoses of disorder long term.

Policy for handling information related to psychological disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality. Mental health information may be deemed specifically sensitive and distinct from physical health, substance use disorders, and behavioral disabilities and disorders in some jurisdictions.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling psychiatry psychiatric disorder information, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling psychotherapy note information, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: In some jurisdiction, disclosure of psychotherapy notes requires patient consent.

If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to alcohol or drug use disorders and conditions caused by these disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to alcohol use disorders and conditions caused by these disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to opioid use disorders and conditions caused by these disorders, which is afforded heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling sexually transmitted disease information, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to sexually transmitted disease information that is deemed sensitive.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information not to be initially disclosed or discussed with patient except by a physician assigned to patient in this case. Information handling protocols based on organizational policies related to sensitive patient information that must be initially discussed with the patient by an attending physician before being disclosed to the patient.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Open Issue: This definition conflates a rule and a characteristic, and there may be a similar issue with ts sibling codes.

Policy for handling information related to harm by violence, which is afforded heightened confidentiality. Harm by violence is perpetrated by an unrelated person.

Access control concerns for information about mental or physical harm resulting from violence caused by an unrelated person may include manipulation of care givers or access to records that enable the perpetrator contact or locate the patient, but the perpetrator will likely not have established abusive psychological control over the patient.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an identifier of an information subject, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Usage Note: Such policies may govern the sensitivity of information related to an identifier of an act, such as the identifier of a contract; a role, such as a citizen, a patient, a practitioner, or an organization; or an entity such as a medical device due to potential impact on the privacy, well-being, safety or integrity of an information subject. For example, protection against identity fraud or counterfeit.

Types of sensitivity policies that apply to Acts. Act.confidentialityCode is defined in the RIM as "constraints around appropriate disclosure of information about this Act, regardless of mood."

Usage Note: ActSensitivity codes are used to bind information to an Act.confidentialityCode according to local sensitivity policy so that those confidentiality codes can then govern its handling across enterprises. Internally to a policy domain, however, local policies guide the access control system on how end users in that policy domain are able to use information tagged with these sensitivity values.

Types of sensitivity policies that may apply to a sensitive attribute on an Entity.

Usage Note: EntitySensitivity codes are used to convey a policy that is applicable to sensitive information conveyed by an entity attribute. May be used to bind a Role.confidentialityCode associated with an Entity per organizational policy. Role.confidentialityCode is defined in the RIM as "an indication of the appropriate disclosure of information about this Role with respect to the playing Entity."

Policy for handling all demographic information about an information subject, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to all demographic about an information subject, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an information subject's date of birth, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality.Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an information subject's date of birth, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an information subject's gender and sexual orientation, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an information subject's gender and sexual orientation, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an information subject's living arrangement, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an information subject's living arrangement, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an information subject's marital status, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an information subject's marital status, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an individual's location, which is deemed sensitive when the disclosure could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject, and requires additional protection.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional, organizational, or individual mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw or ActConsentDirective code from the ActCode system to and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an information subject's race, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an information subject's race, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an information subject's religious affiliation, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an information subject's religion, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Notes: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Types of sensitivity policies that apply to Roles.

Usage Notes: RoleSensitivity codes are used to bind information to a Role.confidentialityCode per organizational policy. Role.confidentialityCode is defined in the RIM as "an indication of the appropriate disclosure of information about this Role with respect to the playing Entity."

Policy for handling trade secrets such as financial information or intellectual property, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Description: Since the service class can represent knowledge structures that may be considered a trade or business secret, there is sometimes (though rarely) the need to flag those items as of business level confidentiality.

Usage Notes: No patient related information may ever be of this confidentiality level. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an employer which is deemed classified to protect an employee who is the information subject, and which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Description: Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to an employer, such as law enforcement or national security, the identity of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of an information subject who is an employee.

Usage Notes: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to the location of the information subject, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Description: Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to the location of the information subject, the disclosure of which could impact the privacy, well-being, or safety of that subject.

Usage Notes: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to a provider of sensitive services, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Description: Policies may govern sensitivity of information related to providers who deliver sensitive healthcare services in order to protect the privacy, well-being, and safety of the provider and of patients receiving sensitive services.

Usage Notes: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an adolescent, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality per applicable organizational or jurisdictional policy. An enterprise may have a policy that requires that adolescent patient information be provided heightened confidentiality. Information deemed sensitive typically includes health information and patient role information including patient status, demographics, next of kin, and location.

Usage Note: For use within an enterprise in which an adolescent is the information subject. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to a celebrity (people of public interest (VIP), which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Celebrities are people of public interest (VIP) about whose information an enterprise may have a policy that requires heightened confidentiality. Information deemed sensitive may include health information and patient role information including patient status, demographics, next of kin, and location.

Usage Note: For use within an enterprise in which the information subject is deemed a celebrity or very important person. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to a celebrity (people of public interest (VIP), which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Celebrities are people of public interest (VIP) about whose information an enterprise may have a policy that requires heightened confidentiality. Information deemed sensitive may include health information and patient role information including patient status, demographics, next of kin, and location.

Usage Note: For use within an enterprise in which the information subject is deemed a celebrity or very important person. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to a diagnosis, health condition or health problem, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Diagnostic, health condition or health problem related information may be deemed sensitive by organizational policy, and require heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: For use within an enterprise that provides heightened confidentiality to diagnostic, health condition or health problem related information deemed sensitive. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to a drug, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Drug information may be deemed sensitive by organizational policy, and require heightened confidentiality.

Usage Note: For use within an enterprise that provides heightened confidentiality to drug information deemed sensitive. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Policy for handling information related to an employee, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. When a patient is an employee, an enterprise may have a policy that requires heightened confidentiality. Information deemed sensitive typically includes health information and patient role information including patient status, demographics, next of kin, and location.

Usage Note: Policy for handling information related to an employee, which will be afforded heightened confidentiality. Description: When a patient is an employee, an enterprise may have a policy that requires heightened confidentiality. Information deemed sensitive typically includes health information and patient role information including patient status, demographics, next of kin, and location.

Policy for specially protecting information reported by or about a patient, which is deemed sensitive within the enterprise (i.e., by default regardless of whether the patient requested that the information be deemed sensitive for another reason.) For example information reported by the patient about another person, e.g., a family member, may be deemed sensitive by default. Organizational policy may allow the sensitivity tag to be cleared on patient's request.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law in addition to this more generic code.

For example, VA deems employee information sensitive by default. Information about a patient who is being stalked or a victim of abuse or violence may be deemed sensitive by default per a provider organization's policies.

Policy for handling information about a patient, which a physician or other licensed healthcare provider deems sensitive. Once tagged by the provider, this may trigger alerts for follow up actions according to organizational policy or jurisdictional law.

Usage Note: For use within an enterprise that provides heightened confidentiality to certain types of information designated by a physician as sensitive. If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.

Use cases in which this code could be used are, e.g., in systems that lack the ability to automatically detect sensitive information and must rely on manual tagging; a system that lacks an applicable sensitivity tag, or for ad hoc situations where criticality of the situation requires that the tagging be done immediately by the provider before coding or transcription of consult notes can be completed, e.g., upon detection of a patient with suicidal tendencies or potential for violence.

Policy for specially protecting information reported by or about a patient, which the patient deems sensitive, and the patient requests that collection, access, use, or disclosure of that information be restricted. For example, a minor patient may request that information about reproductive health not be disclosed to the patient's family or to particular providers and payers.

Usage Note: If there is a jurisdictional mandate, then use the applicable ActPrivacyLaw code system, and specify the law rather than or in addition to this more generic code.