Section R. 325.74 - Investigation and quality assuranceRule 4.
(1) The department or local health department, upon receiving a report under R 325.73, may investigate to determine the accuracy of the report, a patient's source of exposure, and adverse health effects resulting from the exposure.(2) The department and local public health departments shall collaborate in the development of procedures for processing poisoning reports and conducting follow-up investigations to ensure efficient, non-duplicative, and effective public health response.(3) Requests for individual medical and epidemiologic information to validate the completeness and accuracy of reporting are specifically authorized.(4) Copies of protected health information from reported poisoning cases shall be kept in locked file cabinets when not in use. Information stored electronically shall be maintained on a secure server accessible only by department or local health department program staff through password protected user accounts.(5) Reports may be released to other state, local, or federal agencies for those agencies to administer and enforce provisions of laws or rules to protect individuals from exposure to chemical poisons. Protected health information may be released to other governmental agencies and bona fide agents of the state that comply with the confidentiality requirements of R 325.75.(6) Confidential information obtained during the public health investigation may be exchanged between the department and the local health department with jurisdiction where the chemical poisoning occurred.(7) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to relieve or preempt any other entities from investigating hazards associated with chemical poisons under state, federal, or local statutes or regulations.Mich. Admin. Code R. 325.74