The state of Washington allows confidential information to be used sparingly for research purposes.  Individuals, or their legal representatives, may authorize, in writing, a state agency to disclose records containing their individually identifiable information for research purposes.  Once the individual has provided his or her consent, the state agency may release the information for research is a research board determines that there is scientific merit and failure to disclose with inhibit research, and the research entity has complied with relevant state and federal laws.1  Patient discharge data and financial data submitted by hospitals to the Department of Health may also be accessible to public or private research entities.2

        One instance where confidential information may be used is for cancer research.  Washington law allows the Department of Health to release confidential cancer registry information for research purposes only after the research project has been reviewed and approved by an institutional review board and a confidentiality agreement is negotiated.3  It is worth noting that Cancer Registry data must include patient identification data, race, Hispanic origin, occupation, as well as clinical information.4  Information contained in Washington’s trauma registry5 and in vital records6 may also be used for research purposes according to the law.