OUR PLEDGE REGARDING YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION

We understand that medical information about you and your healthcare is personal. We are committed to protecting medical information about you. A record is created of the care and services you receive at this facility. This record is needed to provide the necessary care and to comply with legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by the facility. Your personal physician may have different policies or notices regarding the physician's use and disclosure of your medical information in the physician's office or clinic.

 

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

The following categories describe different ways that we may use and disclose your health information. For each category we will explain what we mean and in some instances provide an example. Not every use or disclosure will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose your health information will fall within one of the following categories.

Treatment

We may use or disclose your health information in the normal course of providing you with necessary services. For example, we may ask you to undergo laboratory tests (such as blood or urine tests), and we may use the results to help us reach a diagnosis. We may use your health information to write a prescription for you, or we may disclose your health information to a pharmacy when we call and order a prescription for you. Many people who work for our facility - including doctors and nurses, may use or disclose your health information in order to treat you or to assist others in your treatment.

Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for the services and items you receive from us. For example, we may contact your health insurer to certify that you are eligible for benefits (and for what range of benefits), and we may provide your insurer with details regarding your treatment to determine if your insurer will cover your treatment costs. Also, we may use your health information to bill you directly for services and items.

Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information for operational purposes. For example, our quality improvement personnel may use your health information to evaluate the performance of our staff, assess the quality of care and outcomes in your case and in similar cases and to determine how we may continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the services we provide. Other examples of how we may use your information for operational purposes include:

Determining additional services the facility should offer, what services are not needed, and whether certain new treatments are effective.

Disclosing to doctors, nurses, technicians, students and other agents of the facility for review and learning purposes.

Combining with information from other facilities to compare how we are doing and see where we can improve the care and services offered. Information that identifies you in this set of medical information may be removed so others may use it to study health care and health care delivery without knowing who the specific patients are.

Individuals Involved in Your Care

With your permission, your medical information may be released to a family member, guardian or other individuals involved in your care. They may also be told about your condition unless you have requested additional restrictions.

Hospital Directory

We may include your name, location in the hospital, general health condition and religious affiliation in a patient directory without receiving your permission unless you tell us you do not want your information in the directory or unless you are located in a specific ward, wing, or unit that would indicate that you are receiving treatment for a mental illness or developmental disability, HIV/AIDS or substance abuse. Information in the directory may be shared with anyone who asks for you by name.

As Required by Law

Your medical information will be disclosed when required to do so by state, or local authorities, laws, rules and/or regulations. Instances may include:

1. Lawsuits and Disputes. If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, your medical information will be disclosed in response to a court or administration order, , or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute when we are legally required to respond.

2. Law Enforcement. Your medical information will be released if requested by a law enforcement official:

• In response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process;
• To identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person;
• About the victim of a crime if, under certain limited circumstances, we are unable to obtain the person's agreement;
• About a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct
• In emergency circumstances to report a crime; the location of the crime or victims; or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.

3. National Security and Intelligence Activities. Your medical information will be released to authorized officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.

4. To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. Your medical information may be used and disclosed when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety and that of the public or another person. Any disclosure, however, would only be to someone able to help prevent the threat.

5. Health Oversight Activities. Your medical information may be disclosed to a health oversight entity for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.

6. Health-Related Benefits and Services Your medical information may be used to tell you about health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.

Appointment Reminders

Your medical information may be used to contact you as a reminder of an appointment you have for treatment or medical care from the facility.

Research

We may use or disclose your health information for research purposes pursuant to your signed authorization, or with institutional review board or privacy board approval.

OTHER USES OR DISCLOSURES

Uses or disclosures of your health information other than those identified in this notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke that authorization at any time.

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS

You have the following rights regarding the health information we create and maintain about you:

To request restrictions/limitations on certain uses and disclosures of your health information

To request that we communicate with you about health matters in a certain way. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at work or by mail

To inspect and obtain a copy of your health information

To request an amendment of incorrect or incomplete information in your health record

To receive an accounting of certain disclosures made to entities outside

All requests must be submitted in writing

COMPLAINTS

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with officials of the hospital. All complaints must be submitted in writing. We will investigate all complaints promptly and thoroughly. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Forms for making any requests referenced in this notice or for filing a complaint may be obtained from our officials /Web site .(complaint Form)

Patient Responsibilities

Provision of Information

A patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medication, and other matters relating to his health. He has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in his condition to the responsible practitioner. A patient is responsible for reporting whether he clearly comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him.

Compliance with Instructions

A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care, implement the responsible practitioner’s orders, and enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations. The patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when he is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner at the hospital.

Refusal of Treatment

The patient is responsible for his actions if he refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner’s instructions.

Hospital Charges

The patient is responsible for ensuring that the financial obligations of his health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Hospital Rules and Regulations

The patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Respect and Consideration

The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons.

Patient Rights

Patient's Access to Care

Individuals shall be accorded impartial access to treatment or accommodations that are available or medically indicated, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, or source of payment for care.

Respect and Dignity

The patient has the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstance, with recognition of his personal dignity.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The patient has the right, within law, to personal and informational privacy, as manifested by the following rights:

To refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with the hospital, including visitors, or persons officially connected with the hospital but not directly involved in his care.

To wear appropriate personal clothing and religious or other symbolic items, as long as they do not interfere with diagnostic procedures or treatment.

To be interviewed and examined in surroundings designed to ensure reasonable visual and auditory privacy. This includes the right to have a person of one’s own sex present during certain parts of the physical examination, treatment, or procedure performed by a health professional of the opposite sex and the right not to remain disrobed any longer than is required for accomplishing the medical purpose for which the patient was asked to disrobe.

To expect that any discussion or consultation involving his case will be conducted discreetly and that individuals not directly involved in his care will not be present without permission.

To have his medical record read only by individuals directly involved in his treatment or in the monitoring of its quality. Other individuals can read his medical record only on his written authorization or that of his legally authorized representatives.

To expect all communications and other records pertaining to his care, including the source of payment of treatment, to be treated as confidential.

To be placed in protective privacy when considered necessary for personal safety.

Identity

The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to him and to know which physician or other practitioner is primarily responsible for his care. This includes the patient’s right to know of the existence of any professional relationship among individuals who are treating him, as well as the relationship to any other health care or educational institutions involved in his care. Participation by patients in clinical training programs or in the gathering of data for research purposes should be voluntary.

Information

The patient has the right to obtain, from the practitioner responsible for coordinating his care, complete and current information concerning his diagnosis (to the degree known), treatment, and any prognosis. This information should be made available to a legally authorized individual.

Communication

The patient has the right to access people outside the hospital by means of visitors and by verbal and written communication.

When the patient does not speak or understand the predominant language of the community, he should have access to an interpreter. This is particularly true where language barriers are a continuing problem.

Consent

The patient has the right to reasonable informed participation in decisions involving his health care. To the degree possible, this should be based on a clear, concise explanation of his condition and of all proposed technical procedures, including the possibilities of any risk of mortality or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation, and the probability of success. The patient should not be subjected to any procedure without his voluntary, competent, and understanding consent or the consent of his legally authorized representative. Where medically significant alternatives for care and treatment exist, the patient shall be so informed.

The patient has the right to know who is responsible for authorizing and performing the procedures or treatment.

The patient shall be informed if the hospital proposes to engage or perform human experimentation or other research/educational projects affecting his care or treatment; the patient has the right to refuse to participate in any such activity.

Consultation

The patient, at his own request and expense, has the right to consult with a specialist.

Refusal of Treatment

The patient may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. When refusal of treatment by the patient or his legally authorized representative prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.

Transfer and Continuity of Care

A patient may not be transferred to another facility or organization unless he has received a complete assessment of the need for the transfer and the alternatives to such a transfer and unless the transfer is acceptable to the other facility or organization. The patient has the right to be informed by the practitioner responsible for this care, or his delegate, of any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital.

Hospital Charges

Regardless of the source of payment for his care, the patient has the right to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of his total bill for services rendered in the hospital. The patient has the right to timely notice prior to termination of his eligibility for reimbursement by any third-party payer for the cost of his care.

Hospital Rules and Regulations

The patient should be informed of the hospital rules and regulations applicable to this conduct as a patient. Patients are entitled to information about the hospital’s mechanism for initiation, review, and resolution of patient complaints.

For Your Safety and Security

Smoking

Ours is a smoke-free campus. No smoking is allowed on the hospital premises.

Fire Safety

The hospital is a fire-resistant building, and our staff is trained in fire protection and we follow the local fire protection laws.

Oxygen

Special regulations are in effect in areas where patients are receiving oxygen. Electrically operated equipment and aerosol products are not permitted in these areas. Absolutely no smoking is permitted in any room where oxygen is in use or on standby.

Medications

All medications you take in the hospital are prescribed by the doctor, and administered by the nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedsides.

Visiting Regulations

The following are general guidelines for visitors:

Visitors may not smoke in patient rooms or anywhere in the hospital, or on the hospital grounds.

Visitors must dress appropriately and must wear shirts and shoes.

No more than two visitors are allowed at the bedside at one time. Visitors in semi-private rooms should be considerate of both patients.

People with colds, sore throats, or any contagious diseases should not visit patients.

Visits should be kept short.

Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient.

Visitors are allowed to visit in visitor time only as specified by the hospital regulations.

Visitors are welcome to utilize the courtyards

E-Greetings!!