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E-Mail Disclaimer
More and more information is being shared via the Internet,
particularly through the use of e-mail. We wish to provide an organized
framework and a set of guidelines and expectations to ensure appropriate
and consistent use of provider/patient e-mail at Kern Valley Healthcare
District.
Conditions for the Use of E-mail
Kern Valley Healthcare District (KVHD) will use reasonable means to
protect the security and confidentiality of e-mail information sent and
received. However, KVHD cannot guarantee the security and
confidentiality of e-mail communication, and will not be liable for
improper disclosure of confidential information that is not caused by
KVHD’s intentional misconduct. Thus, patient consent to the use of
e-mail is required and includes agreement with the following conditions.
- KVHD will use e-mail to communicate the following:
- Receive comments from patients - compliments, concerns,
suggestions
- Receive requests for forms to release or transfer a medical
record
- Communicate information about KVHD’s policy and procedures
- Communicate information such as a patient newsletter,
seminar/event notification and registration, medical or drug alerts,
announcements, disaster information, new services, new staff, etc.
- KVHD may forward patient e-mails internally to
our staff. KVHD will not forward e-mails to independent third
parties without your prior written consent, except as authorized or
required by law.
- KVHD will not disclose your e-mail address to any
third party without prior written consent.
- You should not use e-mail for medical
emergencies or other time sensitive matters. You should not use
e-mail to communicate medical information, particularly sensitive
medical information.
- KVHD is not liable for breaches of
confidentiality caused by you or any third party.
Instructions
To communicate by e-mail, you are requested to:
- Limit or avoid the use of your employer’s
computer
- Inform KVHD of changes in your e-mail address
- Put your full name in the body of the e-mail text
and the category of the message on the subject line i.e.: billing,
seminar registration, etc. so KVHD can forward to the appropriate
department.
- Complete an
E-mail Consent Form
- Your consent to use e-mail may be withdrawn in writing or by
sending KVHD an e-mail stating you no longer want to receive
information via e-mail. KVHD also reserves the right to remove you
from our e-mail database and will notify you in writing.
Response Time
- A KVHD representative will respond to the e-mail
message in a reasonable amount of time. This will usually be within
24 hours during the normal workweek and by Monday morning for those
messages sent Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
- You will receive an automatic reply to
acknowledge KVHD has received your message.
Risk of Using E-Mail
Transmitting information by e-mail has some risks that you should
consider before using e-mail. These include, but are not limited to:
- E-mail can be circulated, forwarded and stored in
paper and electronic files.
- Backup copies of e-mail may exist even after the
sender or recipient had deleted his copy.
- E-mail can be intercepted, altered, forwarded, or
used without authorization or detection.
- E-mail is easier to falsify than handwritten or
signed documents.
- E-mail senders can easily misaddress an e-mail.
- E-mail can be used as evidence in court.
E-mail Consent Form |
