NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.  Please review it carefully.

 PennMed Facilities use health information about you for treatment, to obtain payment for treatment, for administrative purposes, and to evaluate the quality of care that you receive.  Your health  information is contained in a medical record that is the physical property of  the individual facility.

·        Your confidential healthcare information may be released to other healthcare professionals within the facility or the Regional Personnel for the purpose of providing you with quality healthcare.

·        Your confidential healthcare information may be released to public or law enforcement  officials in the event of an investigation in which you are a victim of abuse, a crime or domestic violence.

·         Your confidential healthcare information may be released to other healthcare providers in event you need emergency care.

·       Your confidential healthcare information may be released  to public health or federal organizations in the event of a communicable disease or to report a defective device or untoward event to a biological (food or medication).

·         Your confidential healthcare information may not be released for any other purpose than that which is identified in this notice.

·        Your confidential healthcare information maybe released only after receiving written authorization from you.  You may revoke your permission to release confidential healthcare information at any time.

·        You may be contacted by the facility to remind you of any appointments, healthcare treatment options or other health services that may be of interest to you.

·        You have the right to restrict the use of your confidential healthcare information.  However the facility may chose to refuse your restriction if it is in conflict of providing you with quality healthcare or in the event of an emergency situation.

·         You have the right to receive confidential communication about your health status.

·        You have the right to review and photocopy any/all portions of your healthcare information.  The resident’s request may be denied under certain conditions, i.e.

o      The resident’s request for personal healthcare information will be denied if the information could cause harm to the resident or another person

o      The request will be denied if the information includes psychotherapy notes or any information for use in a court of law.

o      The request will be denied if the information was obtained from a  source other than the facility with the promise of confidentiality.

o      The facility may charge the resident a fee for providing the information if the fee is for the costs or copying the material, labor, supplies, and postage.

·         You have the right to make changes to your healthcare information. The facility can deny a resident’s request to make changes under certain conditions,  i.e.

o     The facility can deny a resident’s request to make changes if the information in the record is currently accurate and complete. 

·         You have the right to know who has accessed your confidential healthcare information and for what purpose.

·          You have the right to possess a copy of this Privacy Notice upon request.    This copy can be in the form of an electronic transmission or on paper.

·        The facility is required by law to protect the privacy of its residents.  It will keep confidential any and all resident healthcare information.

·        The facility will abide by the terms of this notice.  The facility reserves the right to make changes to this notice and continue to maintain the confidentiality of all healthcare information.  Residents will receive a copy of any changes to this notice within 60 days of making the changes.

·        You have the right to complain to the facility or call the PennMed Hotline if you believe your rights to privacy have been violated.  The Hotline number is: 1-800-711-3657

·        For further information about this Privacy Notice, please contact the Administrator of the facility.

·        This notice is effective as of April 14, 2003

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES