Policies regarding the storage and destruction of DNA samples and blood relationship testing results.
To maintain service standards and protect the privacy of all clients, Wattana Medical and Wellbeing Co., Ltd. (Healthsmile), in partnership with Endeavor DNA, USA, has established a policy regarding the storage and destruction of DNA samples and paternity test reports. Details are as follows:
1. DNA sample collection at the Endeavor DNA Testing Center (USA).
DNA sample fragments shipped from Wattana Medical and Wellbeing Co., Ltd. (Healthsmile) to the Endeavor DNA testing center in the United States will be stored according to laboratory standards for the purpose of follow-up, traceability, or repeat testing. The storage period is as follows:
- For legal DNA testing: The testing center will retain DNA samples for at least one year.
- For general testing / non-legal purposes (Peace of Mind DNA Test): The testing center will retain the DNA sample for at least one month.
2. Storing the forensic examination results documents.
In order to comply with medical service standards, Wattana Medical and Wellbeing Co., Ltd. (Healthsmile) will store test result reports in the system under the following conditions:
- Standard storage period: Test results will be stored for a period of 5 years , in accordance with the standards set by the Ministry of Public Health and the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS).
- Requesting an Extension of Retention Period: If the service recipient wishes the center to retain test results for longer than the standard period, they can contact us to inform us of their request within 5 years from the date the test results were issued.
3. Request for the destruction of forensic examination results documents.
Patients have the right to request that Wattana Medical and Wellbeing Co., Ltd. (Healthsmile) destroy their test result documents and files at any time if they do not wish for the data to be stored in the system, subject to the following important conditions:
- Conditions for the destruction of test results: The destruction of test results can only be carried out with the written consent of both parties involved in the testing. This consent can be sent in writing to the company or notified online via chat or email. This is to protect the rights of all parties and prevent potential disputes in the future.
- Data destruction timeframe and consequences: Once the company receives proper and complete consent, the test results will be destroyed from the system and database within 1 week. After the destruction is complete , the data and test results cannot be recovered or retrieved under any circumstances.
However, a repeat test is required to obtain a positive result.
4. In cases where the patient receives services through the company’s partner laboratory or clinic.
For those who receive testing through clinics or partner network centers, the policy for storing and destroying test results will cover and be enforced according to the same standards, with the following requirements:
- Data Management Standards: All network centers adhere to the 5-year retention policy for audit results and strictly follow the data destruction conditions in accordance with the company’s central policy.
- Procedures: If the service recipient wishes to request an extension of the retention period or the destruction of test results, they can submit a request form and written consent (as per the conditions in point 3) directly at the network center where they received the service, or they can contact the central company to inform them of their request.