Rhode Island PDMP Data Request
| Submitted | Oct. 3, 2019 |
| Due | Oct. 18, 2019 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: HIJ Action Lab
To Whom It May Concern:
Northeastern University's School of Social Justice and Health Equity is interested in the Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program ("PDMP"). Specifically, we want to learn more about law enforcement access to the database, the use of an algorithm that produces a risk score to analyze its contents, and the data access and retention rules governing the system. We understand the algorithm was produced by the corporation Appriss.
In order to permit the public to understand how the Department of Health is using the PDMP and how it impacts public health and civil liberties in Rhode Island, Northeastern University's Health in Justice Action Lab is making this request under Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act for the following records:
1. Any and all records including information about the algorithm that determines risk scores in the PDMP, including but not limited to its source code, developer documentation, and operator manuals (e.g. Narx Score, Overdose Risk Score);
2. Any and all research, technical reports, or internal audits that define and/or evaluate PDMP effectiveness or performance;
3. Any and all research, technical reports, or internal audits that evaluate the Appriss risk assessment tool’s effectiveness or performance;
4. Any and all records of de-identified red flag algorithm outputs (e.g. provider red flag, pharmacy red flag, 40 MED red flag) and patient behavioral red flags (e.g., anxious patient demeanor, distance between prescriber and dispenser) with prescriber/dispenser training documentation on how to address the red flags; and
5. Any and all records from 2006-present of notification to law enforcement about information in the PDMP Medical Review Group or other channels, including but not limited to how many times law enforcement agencies have been notified about information in the PDMP, and which agencies have been notified;
Because this request involves a matter of public concern and because it is made on behalf of a nonprofit organization, we ask that you waive any fees. If you decide not to waive fees, we request that you permit us to examine, at our election, the responsive documents before deciding which portions to transmit. We prefer the documents in electronic format.
Should you determine that some portion of the documents request are exempt from disclosure, please release any reasonably segregable portions that are not exempt. In addition, please note the applicable statutory exemption and explain why it applies to the redacted portions.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 days as requested by the statute.
Sincerely,
Sarah Seymour
From: Department of Health
Thank you. I will log this records request.
Joseph Wendelken | Public Information Officer
Rhode Island Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill, Room 401; Providence, Rhode Island 02908
joseph.wendelken@health.ri.gov<mailto:joseph.wendelken@health.ri.gov>
Desk: 401-222-3998 | Mobile: 401-378-0704 | Weekend press contact: 401-641-8726
This message and all attachments may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary to the Rhode Island Department of Health, including personal health information, and disclosure or distribution to anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you believe you have received this information in error, please notify the sender by replying to this email and immediately delete this message without disclosure.
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~WRD346
From: Department of Health
Dear Ms. Seymour,
The attached documents are in response to your APRA request.
Very truly yours,
Peter Ragosta, RPh, CSCI
Chief, RI Board of Pharmacy/Executive Director
Division of Customer Services
RI Department of Health
401-222-2840
www.health.ri.gov<http://www.health.ri.gov/> -facebook.com/HealthRI - @RIHEALTH
[Image result for ri department of health logo]<https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ri+department+of+health+logo&id=224AB83B86A297DFDABEEB01DEEF0F670A84E0F2&FORM=IQFRBA>
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From: HIJ Action Lab
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your assistance and response! Can you please clarify which data items were not included in the documents your department provided. Let me know.
Best,
Sarah Seymour
HIJ Action Lab
From: Department of Health
Hi Sarah,
We listed what did not exist under each item in my response. I don't believe I can answer your question beyond what was already provided.
Sincerely,
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 3, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Health
We responded to this APRA already. Thank you.
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~WRD150
From: Department of Health
Dear Madam/Sir,
There appears to be a misunderstanding of your interpretation to the language in my response letter (attached). We did not have in our possession any documents that we decided to not release to you. Therefore let me clarify again that we provided you with all the documents we had in our possession that related to your records request, we simply do not have any additional information and are not withholding any documents.
Very truly yours,
Peter Ragosta, RPh, CSCI
Chief, RI Board of Pharmacy/Executive Director
Division of Customer Services
RI Department of Health
401-222-2840
www.health.ri.gov<http://www.health.ri.gov/> -facebook.com/HealthRI - @RIHEALTH
[Image result for ri department of health logo]<https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ri+department+of+health+logo&id=224AB83B86A297DFDABEEB01DEEF0F670A84E0F2&FORM=IQFRBA>
Department of Health
APRA Office
Room 404
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
November 1, 2019
This is a follow up to a previous request:
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 3, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>
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MuckRock News
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PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
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