This notice summarizes how The Washington Hospital may use or disclose your medical information and your rights provided under the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

RIGHTS AS DEFINED BY HIPAA

Summary of The Washington Hospital Notice of Privacy Practices

You have the right to:

  1. Obtain a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices upon request. This document explains your privacy rights and how your information may be used by the health system.
  2. Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information. We are not required by law to agree to your request. If we do agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment.
  3. Inspect and request a copy of your health record. We may deny your request under very limited circumstances. If you are denied access to health information, you may request that the denial be reviewed by another health care professional chosen by someone on our health care team. We will abide by the outcome of that review. There is a fee for this service.
  4. Request an amendment to your health record. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. Also, we may deny your request if the information was not created by our health care team, is not part of the information kept by our facility, is not part of the information which you would be permitted to inspect and copy, and if the information is accurate and complete. Please note that even if we accept your request, we are not required to delete any information from your health record.
  5. Obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information. The accounting will only provide information about disclosures made for purposes other than treatment, payment or health care operations.
  6. Request communication of your health information by alternative means or locations. Your request must be in writing, and the hospital may deny your request if it is not practical.
  7. Provide the hospital with a signed authorization. This document will be used to disclose your health information for other reasons besides treatment, payment, and operations.
  8. Revoke your authorization. You may request in writing to revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.
  9. Complain about any aspect of our health information practices to us or to the Department of Health and Human Services or the United States. You can file a complaint with us and expect and investigation and explanation by calling or writing: The Washington Hospital Privacy Officer, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. You can file a complaint to the Dept. of Health and Human Services by addressing your written complaint to: Secretary, Dept. of Health and Human Services.

The health system’s obligation to you are:

  1. To provide written notice of how The Washington Health System uses and discloses your health information. This notice of Privacy Practices will explain your privacy rights.
  2. That your health information will not be used for marketing activities.
  3. That only the minimum necessary information will be used and disclosed except for treatment activities.
  4. To protect your health information with Business Associates. The hospital will have written agreements with vendors and suppliers who require your health information.
  5. To use and disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, hospital operations, and to satisfy state, federal, law enforcement and oversight reporting requirements.

To use and disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, hospital operations, and to satisfy all state, federal, law enforcement and oversight reporting requirements.

For details, please ask for the brochure entitled Notice of Privacy Practices at The Washington Health System. This brochure is available from admissions or registration areas by calling (724) 223-3006.

Privacy Policy Resources

Notice of Privacy Practices at Washington Health System Brochure