20-9-304. Use of records for medical research.

20-9-304. Use of records for medical research. (a) All information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, or other data of the State Board of Health, the Arkansas Medical Society, allied medical societies, or in-hospital staff committees of licensed hospitals, but not the original medical records pertaining to the patients, used in the course of medical studies for the purpose of reducing morbidity or mortality, as provided in this section, shall be strictly confidential and shall be used only for medical research. (b) Any authorized person, hospital, sanatorium, nursing home, rest home, or other organization may provide information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, or other data relating to the condition and treatment of any person to any of the following for use in the course of studies for the purpose of reducing morbidity or mortality: (1) The board; (2) The Arkansas Medical Society or any committee or allied society thereof; (3) Any other national medical organization approved by the board or any committee or allied medical society therein; or (4) Any in-hospital staff committee of licensed hospitals. (c) No liability for damages or other relief shall arise or be enforced against any authorized person, institution, or organization for: (1) Providing the information or material; (2) Releasing or publishing the findings and conclusions of the groups to advance medical research and medical education; or (3) Releasing or publishing generally a summary of the studies. (d)(1) The identity of the person whose condition or treatment has been studied shall be confidential and shall not be revealed under any circumstances. (2) Any information furnished shall not contain the name of the person upon whom information is furnished and shall not violate the confidential relationship of patient and doctor. (e)(1) Except for the original medical records pertaining to the patient, all information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, or other data furnished under this section and any findings or conclusions resulting from the studies are declared to be privileged communications that may not be used or offered or received in evidence in any legal proceeding of any kind. (2) Except for the original medical records pertaining to the patient, any attempt to use or offer the information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda or other data, findings, or conclusions, or any part thereof, shall constitute prejudicial error in any proceeding unless waived by the interested parties. (f)(1) Physicians and others appointed to hospital utilization review committees for the purpose of determining the optimum use of hospital services shall be immune from liability with respect to decisions made as to utilization and actions thereunder so long as the physicians or others act in good faith. (2) However, nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve any patient's personal physician of any liability which he or she may have in connection with the treatment of the patient. (g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any court from subpoenaing the medical records of any patient.