The Jewish HealthCare Center complies with the privacy and confidentiality of protected health information as required by HIPPA. A leaflet covering health record information, individual rights and the responsibilities of the Jewish HealthCare Center with regard to that information is available at the Center.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated by the Center, you can file a complaint with the Privacy Officer at the Center. Complaints may also be filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Jewish Health Care Center is committed to providing quality HealthCare and building relationships based on trust and dignity. We respect the privacy and confidentiality of our residents medical information. The policies and procedures we have developed and put into practice allow access to our residents personal medical information only when a situation is directly related to your medical care.

Medical Records
The Jewish HealthCare Center complies with all laws requiring the complete documentation and maintenance of medical records, including history, condition, treatment, test results, procedures, and therapies. This information may be stored in physically on paper or digitally on a computer or computer network, or by other means, and will always be kept in a safe and secure way that respects your privacy and confidentiality. Access to our resident’s confidential information will be limited to the physicians and other health care professionals who are involved in your care.

You have the right to read or get a copy of your medical information, as does anyone to whom you give permission, including your legal representatives. Your medical record is the physical property of the individual hospital or physician practice.

Privacy Practices
The Jewish Health Care Center has written detailed policies regulating access to medical records to carefully outline the circumstances under which our staff and employees may access your medical records or release documents to persons outside the hospital. These policies conform to state and federal law and are designed to safeguard your privacy. The Jewish Health Care Center trains all staff and employees in the appropriate use of medical information and understand that it is available to them only within the context of continuing care for you and certain other limited reasons. Employees follow these regulations under threat of termination.

Permission
Parties outside The Jewish Health Care Center are not allowed to access your medical information without expressed consent to do so. Authorization to release information will be solicited at the appropriate time, usually upon admission. Some laws prevent certain types of patient information from being released without specific patient permission. Examples include, but are not limited to, communications between patient and psychotherapist or social worker, sexually transmitted disease test results or visit notes, HIV tests and related information, substance abuse rehabilitation treatment records, and sexual assault treatment records.

The Jewish Health Care Center may be required to release select information under certain circumstances. These include reports of the sexual of physical abuse of children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Medical records may occasionally be used for reasons other than patient care, such as periodic review to evaluate the quality of care, or to be sure that The Jewish Health Care Center follows the rules of regulatory agencies such as Medicare or the Departments of Mental and of Public Health. Personnel charged with the reviewing of records are obligated to follow the same confidentiality laws and regulations regular employees practice on a daily basis.

Researchers regard the same laws and regulations about privacy as all other health care professionals. No information that could identify you will be released to anyone outside the Jewish Health Care Center with written approval. Concern for your privacy is our first priority, even while conducting research. If you have questions about the privacy of your medical records, please speak with your physician or case manager.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at the Jewish HealthCare Center, 629, Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or by calling us at 508-798-8653.