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Keeping
your medical records confidential – What you need to know about Zaluski
Chiropractic: Zaluski Chiropractic is committed to providing
you with high quality care and forming a relationship with you
that is built on trust. That means respecting your privacy and
confidentiality of your medical information. We protect your
privacy and confidentiality rights by creating and putting into
practice Zaluski Chiropractic policies and procedures that allow
access to your personal medical information only for legitimate
reasons.
Your
medical record - As we provide your health care, we are required to maintain a complete
copy of your medical history, current condition, treatment plan
and all treatment given, including the results of all tests,
procedures and therapies. Whether this information is stored in
writing, on a computer, or other means, we will keep this
information in a safe and secure way that protects your privacy
and confidentiality. Of course, the physicians and other health
care professionals who are involved in your care need to access
this information in order to provide appropriate treatment for
you.
Your
medical information is private and confidential – You, or anyone to whom you give written
permission, or your legal representatives, have the right to
read or get a copy of your medical information. Your medical
record is the physical property of Zaluski Chiropractic.
How do we
assure your privacy? –
Zaluski Chiropractic has put in place detailed policies
regarding access to medical records by our staff and employees
and has carefully outlined the circumstances under which your
medical information may be released to parties outside of this
facility. The policies conform to state and federal law and are
designed to safeguard your privacy. Our staff and employees are
trained in the appropriate use of medical information and know
that it is available to them only to continue to provide care to
you or for other limited but legitimate reasons. A violation of
confidentiality or failure of an employee to protect your
information from accidental or unauthorized access will not be
tolerated. This may include the employee being fired from his
or her job.
We ask
your permission – We do
not allow others outside of Zaluski Chiropractic access to any
information unless we have the appropriate authorization to do
so. We will respect your authorization to release information
on your first visit. In addition, some laws prevent certain
types of patient information from being released without
specific patient permission. Examples include, but are not
limited to:
*Confidential
details of: Psychotherapy (treatment by a psychiatrist, licensed
psychologist or psychiatric clinical nurse specialist.
*Other
professional services of a licensed psychologist * Social Work
Counseling/therapy * Domestic Violence Victims Counseling
* Sexual
Assault Counseling * HIV Test Results * Records pertaining to
Sexually transmitted diseases * Alcohol and drug abuse records -
Please note, however, that the law requires some information to
be disclosed in certain circumstances. This includes mandatory
reports of the abuse of children or elderly or disabled
persons. Also, subpoenas or court orders may compel the
disclosure of confidential or privileged health information in
the context of a lawsuit or administrative proceeding. Medical
records are sometimes used for reasons other than patient care.
For example, records are periodically reviewed to evaluate the
quality of care, or to be sure that Zaluski Chiropractic follows
the rules of regulatory agencies for the efficient and effective
utilization of care such as Medicare, Department of Public
Health, or Department of Mental Health. Your insurance company
may request information that we are required to submit in order
to provide and bill for your care. Anyone reviewing records
must follow the same confidentiality laws and rules required of
all health care providers. Patient records are valuable tools
used by researchers in finding the best possible treatments for
diseases and medical conditions. All researchers must follow
the same rules and laws that other health care workers are
required to follow to insure the privacy of patient
information. Information that may identify you will not be
released to anyone outside Zaluski Chiropractic without your
written approval. In all research conducted within Zaluski
Chiropractic, concern for your privacy and well being is our
first priority.
If you have
any questions about the privacy of your medical records, please
speak with us. We will be happy to help you.
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