HEALTH DISTRICT 2

                STATEMENT ON PATIENT RIGHT TO PRIVACY 

It is the philosophy of the Health District 2 to provide the best possible quality of health services for our patients.  A significant part of our responsibility involves our protection of a patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality.

In the course of providing health services and performing other job duties, some employees must deal with confidential information.  When this information is shared with other staff members for treatment or other work-related needs, the communication must be done privately and discreetly so that other staff, patients or visitors do not overhear it.  With computerization of medical information, a new and in some ways more readily available source of confidential information must be protected from unauthorized disclosure.

Confidential information about patients such as diagnosis, condition or name must never be released to anyone unless required for the purpose of service delivery or program administration.  In addition, passwords to all computer systems containing such information must never be disclosed to unauthorized personnel.  Confidential information may only be divulged with the written consent of the patient or as required by law.  Further information on confidentiality is contained in DHR Policy XI.A.2.

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Employee Signature                                                                            Date