Suggested Consent Language: No Alias No Information in Medical Record

This research is covered by a Certificate of Confidentiality from the Federal government. This means that the researchers may not disclose information or biospecimens that may identify you, even by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceedings, nor can the information or biospecimens be used as evidence, unless you have consented to this disclosure. Information or biospecimens protected by this Certificate cannot be disclosed to anyone else who is not connected with the research unless you have consented to the disclosure. More specifically, identifiable information or biospecimens will not be shared with your medical providers who are not involved in this research unless you authorize the study to disclose information to them, or if it is used for other scientific research, as allowed by federal regulations protecting research subjects.

Information about your study participation will not be in your MUSC medical record. This means that neither your research participation nor any of your research results will be included in any MUSC medical record. A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your involvement in this research. If you want your research information released to an insurer, medical care provider, or any other person not connected with the research, you must authorize the researchers to release it.

The Certificate of Confidentiality will not be used to prevent disclosure as required by federal, state, or local law. Examples of required disclosure include: child abuse and neglect, or harm to self and others, but there could be others.

Finally, a Certificate may not be used to withhold information from the Federal government needed for auditing or evaluating Federally funded projects or information needed by the FDA.