Understanding Your Health Record/Information
Each time you visit a hospital, physician, or other healthcare provider, a record of your visit is made. Typically, this record contains your symptoms, examination and test results, diagnoses, treatment, and a plan for future care or treatment. This information, often referred to as your health or medical record, serves as a:
• Basis for planning your care and treatment
• Means of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to your care
• Legal document describing the care provided to you
• Means by which you or a third party payer can verify that services billed were actually provided
• A tool in educating health professionals
• A source of data for medical research
• A source of information for public health officials charged with improving the health of the nation
• A source of data for facility planning and marketing
• A tool with which we can assess and continually work to improve the care we render and the outcomes we achieve
Understanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to:
• Ensure its accuracy
• Better understand who, what, when, where, and why others may access your information
• Make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others
Your Health Information Rights
Although your health record is the physical property of South Central Regional Medical Center or its properties, the information belongs to you. You have the right to:
• Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. You may request a restriction to a health plan if the purpose of the disclosure is not related to treatment and the service or item was paid out-of-pocket in full
• Obtain a paper copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices on request or an electronic copy at our website, scrmc.com
• Inspect and request a copy of your medical records. If your health information is maintained in an electronic format, you may request an electronic copy of your record. (We may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing or other supplies associated with your request)
• Request an amendment of your health record if you feel that the medical information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete
• Obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information
• Request communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations
• Revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken
• Receive notice if a breach occurs. You have the right to be notified upon a breach of your health information
Our Responsibilities
SCRMC is dedicated to protecting your medical information. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information and to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices with respect to protected health information. SCRMC is required by law to abide by the terms of this Notice, making any revision applicable to all the protected information we maintain. If we revise the terms of this Notice, we will post a revised notice at SCRMC and all properties. We will make paper copies of this Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information available upon request. We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this Notice. Once given, you may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.
How Your Health Information Will be Used and Disclosed
In accordance with federal and state laws, SCRMC will use or disclose your health information for several purposes without your authorization, including but not limited to:
Treatment: We will use and disclose your health information for treatment. We may disclose health information to doctors, nurses, technicians, or other personnel, including people outside our office, who are involved in your medical care and need the information to provide you with medical care.
Payment: We will use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment from you or a third party for the treatment and service you received. We may also disclose your health information to your health plan so that they will pay for your treatment.
Health Care Operations: We will use and disclose your health information for regular health care operations.
Data Breach Notification: We may use or disclose your health information to provide legally required notices of unauthorized access to your health information.
Research: Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose Health Information for research. The research project will go through a special approval process before any health information is used or disclosed.
Business Associates: There are some services provided in our organization through contacts with business associates. Examples include physician services in the emergency room, reference laboratories, and radiology services. When these services are contracted, we may disclose your health information to our business associate so that they can perform the job we’ve asked them to do and bill you or your third-party payer for services rendered. For your protection, we require our business associates to appropriately safeguard your information.
Directory: Unless you notify us that you object, we will use your name, location in the facility, religious affiliation, and general condition for directory purposes. This information may be provided to members of the clergy and, except for religious affiliation, to other people who ask for you by name.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care: We may release medical information about you to a friend or family member who is involved in your medical care or who helps pay for your care. We may also tell your family or friends your condition and that you are in the hospital. In addition, we may disclose information about you to assist in disaster relief efforts.
Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors: We will release medical information to a coroner or medical examiner consistent with applicable state law to carry out their duties. We may also release medical information about patients of the hospital to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.
Organ Procurement Organizations: Consistent with applicable law, we may disclose health information to organ procurement organizations.
Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose information about you in response to an administrative order, court order, or valid subpoena.
Marketing: We may contact to you to provide appointment reminders or information about services that may be of benefit and/or interest to you.
Workers’ Compensation: We may disclose health information to the extent authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws relating to workers’ compensation or other similar programs established by law.
Public Health: As required by law, we may disclose your health information for public health activities, including the reporting of disease, injury, vital events and the conduct of public health surveillance, investigation and/or intervention. We may disclose your medical information concerning abuse, neglect or violence in accordance with federal and state law.
Follow-up Activities: We may contact you to obtain follow-up for certain conditions diagnosed and/or treated at SCRMC.
Correctional Institution: Should you be an inmate of a correctional institution, we may disclose to the institution or agents thereof health information necessary for your health and the health and safety of other individuals.
Law Enforcement: We may disclose health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a valid subpoena.
Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose medical information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include audits, investigations, inspections and licensure.
Health Information Exchange: Many facilities participate in health information exchanges in order to share information among healthcare organizations such as hospitals, clinics, health plans, and state or federal-mandated reporting organizations. This facility may also participate in a health information exchange that allows for the sharing of information between hospitals, doctors, and health plans.
Military and Veterans: If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release medical information about you as required by military command authorities.
National Security and Intelligence Activities: We may release medical information about you to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.
For More Information or to Report a Problem
If you have questions and would like additional information, you may contact our Privacy Officer at (601) 426-4076. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Privacy Officer at SCRMC or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.
Effective Date: June 1, 2002
Version Number: 0005
Revised: July 26, 2019
Reviewed: July 11, 2022
South Central Regional Medical Center (“SCRMC,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding the information you share with us. This Website Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, and disclosed when you visit our website and affiliated online services (collectively, the “Website”).
By accessing or using our Website, or by providing information through the Website, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Protected Health Information
Any information that qualifies as Protected Health Information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is not governed by this Privacy Policy. Such information is instead managed in accordance with SCRMC’s official Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how PHI may be used, disclosed and protected.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
You may choose to provide personal information to us when interacting with our Website, including when you:
Information you provide may include:
We use this information to respond to your requests, provide services, communicate with you and improve your experience with SCRMC.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit or interact with our Website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies.
WEBSITE USAGE INFORMATION
We may collect information regarding:
This information helps us better understand how visitors use our Website and allows us to improve functionality and content.
Device and Technical Information
We may collect information about the device used to access our Website, including:
This data assists us in maintaining security, resolving technical issues and optimizing Website performance.
Geographic Information
We may collect approximate location information, such as city, state, or region, based on your IP address. This information helps us understand regional usage trends and improve services for our communities.
Aggregated Demographic Information
We may receive demographic insights derived from analytics tools, such as estimated age ranges or general audience characteristics. This information is aggregated and does not directly identify individual users.
Information from Third-Party Sources
We may also collect information from analytics providers, advertising partners or other service providers to better understand Website performance and enhance user experiences.
COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES
To improve functionality and user experience, we and our service providers may use technologies such as:
Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device that allow websites to remember preferences and recognize returning visitors. Cookies help us analyze Website traffic, improve performance and customize content.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors interact with our Website. Google Analytics collects information through cookies and similar technologies to generate reports regarding Website usage.
For more information about Google’s data practices, please visit:
https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
Additional information about Google Analytics can be found at:
https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/
Where applicable, we may use analytics and advertising features to better understand user interests and improve communications.
Contact Forms and Website Communications
When you submit a question or request through our online forms, your message may be directed to the appropriate department, employee, provider representative or service team to ensure an effective response.
While our Website uses encryption technologies to protect information submitted through online forms, no internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure. We encourage users to avoid sending sensitive medical information through general contact forms.
Current patients should use the designated patient portal for healthcare-related communications, medical questions and discussions related to ongoing treatment.
Surveys and Feedback
From time to time, SCRMC may invite Website visitors to participate in surveys, questionnaires or feedback opportunities.
Survey responses help us:
Participation is voluntary. Unless specifically requested, surveys generally do not require personally identifiable information.
Web Beacons and Tracking Pixels
Our Website may utilize web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies to measure visitor engagement, evaluate marketing efforts and analyze Website performance.
HOW WE USE INFORMATION
We may use the information we collect to:
HOW WE SHARE INFORMATION
SCRMC may disclose information to trusted third parties when necessary to operate our Website and support our services.
These parties may include:
All third-party service providers are expected to maintain appropriate safeguards for protecting information and are permitted to use data only as required to perform services on our behalf or as otherwise authorized by law.
We also may disclose information when required by legal process, regulatory requirements, or to protect the rights, property, safety and security of SCRMC, our patients, or others.
Data Security
SCRMC maintains administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.
Our Website uses industry-standard encryption technologies, including Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocols, to help safeguard information transmitted online.
While we strive to protect your information using reasonable security measures, no method of electronic transmission or internet storage is completely secure. As a result, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Third-Party Websites
For your convenience, our Website may contain links to websites operated by third parties.
Once you leave an SCRMC Website, this Privacy Policy no longer applies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external websites you visit, as SCRMC is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites.
UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, technology, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Continued use of the Website following the posting of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding this Website Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact: marketing@scrmc.com