Patient privacy and the advocacy for patient privacy have never been more important than it is at this moment. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has relaxed many of the security rule provisions, which will allow for more efficient and expedited treatment of patients in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the privacy of those patients and the privacy of those patients’ protected health information must remain an integral part of the health care delivery system and our compliance with those privacy and security regulations must continue to be enforced.
It is very important that we, as providers of health care in this community, remember that we have a duty and obligation to uphold the privacy of our patients. How we go about meeting this duty and obligation is addressed in the Kettering Health Network’s privacy and data security policies and procedures.
Please remember that all employees should only be accessing patient information needed for a legitimate work-related reason. The disclosure of patient information must only be made to those individuals authorized to receive such information.
At no time should any patient-related information be posted by employees on any social media site.
Also, it is very important to remember that any media inquiries should be directed to the Kettering Health Network Media and Public Relations Department. At no time are employees permitted to speak directly with any media outlet concerning any patients, including patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections.
Should you have any privacy-related questions, please direct those questions to Megan Brickner, Network Director of Compliance Programs/Privacy Officer at Megan.Brickner@ketteringhealth.org