This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions. In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to- Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care, share information in a disaster relief situation, include your information in a hospital directory. (If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety). In these cases, we never share your information unless you give us written permission-Marketing purposes, sale of your information, most sharing of psychotherapy notes. In the case of fundraising- We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see:
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.