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UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEALTH RECORD/INFORMATION Each time you visit a hospital, physician, or other healthcare provider, a record of your visit is made. Usually, this record contains your:  SymptomsExaminationTest resultsDiagnosesTreatmentPlan for future care or treatmentThis information, often called your health or medical record, serves as a: Basis for planning your care and treatmentMeans of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to your careLegal document describing the care you receivedMeans by which you or a third party payer can verify that services billed were actually providedA tool in educating health professionalsA source of data for medical researchA source of information for public health officials charged with improving the health of the nationA source of data for facility planning and marketing andA tool with which we can assess and continually work to improve the care we render and the outcomes we achieveUnderstanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to: Ensure its accuracyBetter understand who, what, when, where and why others may access your health informationMake more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others.Other entities with an organized health care arrangement (OHCA) with Jefferson Regional Medical Center Association and access to your private health information: All medical staff physicians with current staff privileges at Jefferson Regional Medical Center AssociationContracted Emergency Department Physicians GroupContracted Radiology Physicians GroupContracted Pathology Physicians GroupContracted Anesthesiology Physicians GroupYOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS Although your health record is the physical property of Jefferson Regional Medical Center, that compiled the information, the information itself belongs to you. You have the right to: Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information as provided by 45 CFR 164.522Obtain a paper copy of the notice of information practices upon requestInspect and request copies of your health record as provided for in 45 CFR 164.524Amend your health record as provided for in 45 CFR 164.528Obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information as provided in 45 CFR 164.528Request communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locationsRevoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.OUR RESPONSIBILITIES Jefferson Regional Medical Center Association is required to: Maintain the privacy of your health informationProvide you with a notice as to our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect and maintain about youAbide by the terms of this noticeNotify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restrictionAccommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.Jefferson Regional Medical Center Association reserves the right to change our practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. The terms of this privacy notice may change with time. If it does, we will post the current notice at the facility and have copies available for distribution. We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this notice. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM If you have questions, or would like to report a concern, you may contact the corporate compliance hotline at 1-888-429-9323. If you have questions or would like additional information, you may contact the Privacy Officer at (636) 933-1102. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Privacy Officer or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint. EXAMPLES OF DISCLOSURES FOR TREATMENT, PAYMENT AND HEALTH OPERATIONS We will use your health information for treatment. Examples: Information obtained by a nurse, physician or other member of your healthcare team is recorded in your record.Your physician then uses the information to decide the course of treatment that should work best for you.Your physician documents in your record his or her expectations of Jefferson Regional Medical Center Association staff.The staff members then record the actions they take, and their observations.The results of any tests are placed in the record.The physician is able to create or change your treatment plan.We also provide your physician or a subsequent healthcare provider with copies of various reports that should assist him/her in treating you once you're discharged.We use your health information for payment. Example: A bill may be sent to you or a third party payer. The information on or accompanying the bill may include information that identifies you, as well as your diagnosis, procedures and supplies used.We use your health information for regular health operations. Examples: Members of the Jefferson Regional Medical Center medical staff, the risk or quality improvement manager, or members of the quality improvement team may use information in your health record to assess the care and outcomes in your case andothers like it.This information is used in an effort to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare and service we provide.OTHER USES OR DISCLOSURES Business Associates: There are some services provided in our organization through contacts with business associates. Examples include certain laboratory tests and a copy service we use when making copies of your health record. When these services are contracted, we may disclose your health information to our business associate so that they can perform the job we've asked them to do and bill you or your third party payer for services rendered. So that your health information is protected, however, we require the business associate to appropriately safeguard your information. Directory: Unless you notify us that you object, we will use your name, location in the facility, general condition, and religious affiliation for directory purposes. This information may be provided to members of the clergy and, except for religious affiliation, to other people who ask for you by name. Notification: We may use or disclose information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or another person responsible for your care, your location, and general condition. Communication with Family: Health professionals, using their best judgment, may disclose to a family member, other relative, close personal friend or any other person you identify, health information relevant to that person's involvement in your care or payment related to your care. Research: We may disclose information to researchers when their research has been approved by an Institutional Review Board that has reviewed the research proposal and established protocols to ensure the privacy of your health information. Funeral Directors: We may disclose health information to funeral directors consistent with applicable law to carry out their duties. Organ Procurement Organizations: Consistent with applicable law, we may disclose health information to organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the procurement, banking, or transplant of organs for the purpose of tissue donation and transplant. |
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| Hwy 61 South, Crystal City, Missouri 63019, (636) 933-1000 | |||||||||
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