College Health Services understands the necessity of protecting and safeguarding the personal information of our patients from improper use or disclosure. In order to ensure this, Health Services will:
- obtain routine consents, as necessary, to permit the use of personal health information for future, known and /or routine needs. These consents will include the use and release of personal information for purposes of payment, treatment and health care operations.
- obtain special consents or authorizations, as appropriate, prior to the use or release of information beyond the scope of the routine consent.
When a person is unable to provide consent, an appropriate individual is identified to give consent on his or her behalf.
Access to health records and information
Patients may access their own health records. The definition of “patient” also includes the surviving spouse, the parents of a deceased patient, or a person the patient appoints in writing as a legally recognized representative. Patients also have the right to amend their health records. Patients will be referred to their provider to discuss information maintained in their record.
A person may not access their spouse’s personal information without an authorization (or consent) from the patient.
A parent or legal guardian of a minor may access and authorize the release of the minor’s health information. However, if the minor is married, emancipated, has borne a child, or if the records in question concern venereal disease, chemical dependency, or pregnancy and related conditions, the parent or legal guardian may not access or release the minor’s health information without the minor’s expressed written consent.
Health information may be withheld from a person only if a physician or other licensed health care provider reasonably determines that information will be detrimental to his or her physical or mental health or is likely to cause him or her to inflict self-harm or harm to another. The practitioner must record and state the specific basis for which they are withholding information prior to the request.
A patient may request restrictions on the use and disclosure of their health information.
In order to comply with evolving laws and standards, College Health may occasionally modify its privacy practices.