Privacy
Standards for Privacy
According to the federal law named the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act" (HIPAA), you have rights concerning the use of individually identifiable health information. Only individuals with a legitimate "need to know" may access, use or disclose patient information. Protected health information may be released to other covered health care providers without patient authorization if used for treatment, payment, health care operations or for public good purposes as permitted by state and federal laws. Disclosures of protected health information for uses and disclosures outside treatment, payment and health care operations require patient authorization.
While receiving care in the hospital, you may be asked for your name to not be included in the hospital directory, which means that people asking for you will be told, "I have no information about this patient." If you want to receive deliveries of cards and flowers, then you want your name included in the hospital directory. If you include your name in the hospital directory, your name will appear on a list for clergy members of your faith.