Data and Sample Collection, Storage and Confidentiality

An example of how you may cover these issues in your proposal:

• Blood serum samples will be collected, prepared and stored [specify site/relevant staff].
• Data held at Auckland University will be initially identified according to [e.g. patient’s NHI] and given a unique study number for the purposes of anonymised data entry and sample identification.
• The data and the blood will be transported to the [specify site] according to [specify as relevant e.g. IATA international] guidelines for the transport of tissues.
• Data will be stored in a locked room and secured within a locked cabinet. [Specify staff] will have access to the data.
• All laboratory specimens, evaluation forms, reports, and other records that leave the site will be identified by coded number only to maintain subject confidentiality.
• All computer entry and networking programs will be done with coded numbers only.
• Clinical information will not be released without written permission of the subject. Subjects must not be identifiable by name or personal details on any report forms or published material.
• The data will be held for [specify] years and destroyed [specify eg university shredding] procedures at the end of the statutory period.
• Samples will be tested at [specify laboratory] and any remaining after the specified testing will be destroyed according to [specify] procedures for destruction of biological samples.