Standards for Privacy of Protected Health Information
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 ask 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.
Visit HHS.gov for a listing of other HIPAA privacy rights.
If You Have a Question or Concern
The medical staff and the employees of Greenwood Leflore Hospital seek to treat our patients with fairness and concern, recognizing their needs and satisfying them to the extent possible. The Patient Relations Department was established for you, the patient. If you have any questions or problems that have not been answered to your satisfaction or if you have a special need, call Patient Relations at ext. 2617 or dial the operator and a member of the Patient Relations staff will be paged.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
As a natural outgrowth of our organizational values and mission, the board of directors, the medical staff and the employees of Greenwood Leflore Hospital jointly affirm and recognize the following rights and responsibilities of patients:
- In recognition of their human dignity, all patients have a right to courteous treatment, impartial access to quality medical care, and respect for personal values, beliefs, and preferences.
- All patients have the right to be informed of alternative treatments and to choose among the alternatives, including the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of their actions. All patients are responsible for their own actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow the doctor’s recommendations.
- All patients have the right to every consideration of privacy concerning their medical care program. Patients are responsible for being considerate of the privacy of other patients. Telephones, televisions, radios and lights should be used in a manner agreeable to others.
- All patients are assured confidential treatment of their medical record by state and federal law. These statutes and regulations control the release of information contained in your medical record.
- All patients have the right to continuity of care, transfer, and consultation with other medical specialties.
- All patients have the right to examine and receive an explanation of their bill, regardless of the source of payment. Patients have the responsibility to provide information necessary for claim processing and to be prompt in payment of their bills.
- All patients have the right to know the rules and regulations that apply to patient care and conduct and are responsible for following those rules and regulations.
- All patients have a right to receive an explanation of their treatment program and to ask for further clarification if the course of treatment is not understood. Patients have the responsibility to cooperate in their treatment program.