As of April 14, 2003, the Federal Office for Civil Rights is enforcing new rules related to the privacy and confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI). Our Privacy Notice explains how we may use your information.

As we treat your health care needs, we are required to maintain a complete copy of your medical history, current condition, treatment plan and all treatment(s) given including the results of test, procedures and therapies. Whether this information is stored in a written file, on computer or by other means, we will keep this information in a safe and secure environment, one that protects your privacy and confidentiality. Of course, those physicians and other health care professionals who are involved in your care will need to access this information to provide the most appropriate treatment for you.

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

Faulkner Hospital has detailed policies in place that address circumstances under which your medical information may be released to parties outside the hospital or physician practice. These policies conform to state and federal law and are designed to safeguard your privacy.

Our employees are trained in the appropriate use of medical information and know that it is available to them only to continue to provide care to you for other limited but legitimate reasons. Any violation of patient confidentiality or failure of an employee to protect your information from accidental or unauthorized access will not be tolerated. This may include the employee being terminated for his or her position.

We do not allow access to your medical information by those outside the Faulkner Hospital provider network unless we have the appropriate authorization to do so. We will request your authorization to release information at your first visit or admission. Some laws prevent certain types of patient information from being released without specific patient permission. Examples include, but are not limited to: