Table 3.
Security and confidentiality of 105 clinical databases with full entry in DoCDat, August 2003
| Characteristics | No (%) of databases |
|---|---|
| Data storage: | |
| Stand alone computer | 30 (29) |
| Connected to external network | 75 (71) |
| Back up data storage: | |
| Stand alone computer | 5 (5) |
| Connected to external network | 32 (30) |
| Disks or CDs | 68 (65) |
| Paper forms stored | 62 (59) |
| Confidentiality: | |
| Irreversibly anonymised | 13 (12) |
| Reversibly anonymised | 34 (32) |
| Identifiable | 58 (55) |
| Patients informed of data collection: | |
| Individually informed | 23 (22) |
| Collectively informed | 6 (6) |
| Not informed | 76 (72) |
| Patient consent for data collection: | |
| Signed consent | 12 (11) |
| No signed consent but opt out | 10 (10) |
| No signed consent or opt out | 83 (79) |