The Notice of Privacy Policy describes how Nanticoke health Services may use and disclose your health information.

The Notice of Privacy Policy describes how Nanticoke may use and disclose your PHI.

Uses and Disclosures of Your Personal Health Information:
Except as outlined below we will not use or disclose your personal health information for any purpose unless you have signed a form consenting to or authorizing the use or disclosure. You have the right to revoke that consent in writing to Nanticoke Health Services c/o Marketing, 801 Middleford Rd., Seaford, DE 19973.

Use and Disclosures for Treatment:
With your signed consent, we will use and disclose your personal health information as necessary for your treatment. For example, health care professionals involved in your care will use your information to plan a course of treatment for you.

Use and Disclosures for Payment:
With your signed consent, we will use and disclose your personal health information as necessary for payment purposes. For example, we may forward information regarding your medical treatment to your insurance company to arrange payment.

Use and Disclosures for Health Care Operations:
With your signed consent, we will use and disclose your personal health information as needed and as permitted by law for our health care operations which include clinical improvement, professional peer review, accreditation and licensing. For example, your personal health information may be used to help improve treatment or care for other patients.

Facility Directory:
Nanticoke maintains a facility directory listing the name, room number, and general condition of its patients. Unless you choose to have your information excluded from the directory, the information will be disclosed to anyone who requests it by asking for you by name. You have the right during registration to have your information excluded from the directory and to restrict what information is provided and/or to whom it is provided.

Family and Friends Involved in Your Care:
With your approval, we may disclose your personal health information to designated family or friends who are involved in your care or in payment of your care. If you are unavailable, incapacitated or facing an emergency medical situation and we determine that a limited disclosure may be in your best interest, we may share limited personal health information with such individuals without your approval. We may also disclose limited personal health information to a public or private entity that is authorized to assist in disaster relief efforts in order for that entity to locate a family member or other personal involved in some aspect of your care during a disaster situation.

Appointments and Services:
We may contact you to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. You have the right to request and we will accommodate reasonable request by you to receive your communications by alternative means. For example, if you wish appointment reminders to not be left on voice mail, we will accommodate reasonable requests.

Fundraising:
We may contact you to donate to a fundraising effort. You have the right to “opt-out” of receiving fundraising materials or communications. You may do so by sending your name and address to the Executive Director of Nanticoke Health Services Foundation, 801 Middleford Road, Seaford DE 19973 with a written statement that you do not wish to receive fundraising or other communications from us.

Marketing:
We may contact or send you information about new programs, services or events that may be of interest to you. You have the right to request that we not send you any further marketing materials. You may “opt-out” of receiving marketing materials by making your request in writing to Director of Marketing, Nanticoke Health Services, 801 Middleford Road, Seaford DE 19973.

Other Uses and Disclosures:
We are permitted or required by law to make certain disclosures of personal health information without consent. Such activities include required reporting of disease, injury, birth and death and for required public health investigation. We may release your information for any purpose required by law.

YOUR RIGHTS:
You have the right to a copy and/or to inspect the personal health information we retain on your behalf. All requests must be made in writing and signed by you or your legal representative.

You have the right to request in writing that personal health information that we maintain about you be amended or corrected. We are not obligated to make all requested amendments but will give each careful consideration. All amendment requests must be made in writing and signed by you or your representative.

You have a right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures made by us of your personal health information after (April 14, 2003?). Requests must be made in writing and signed by you or your representative.

You have a right to request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your personal health information. We are not required to agree with your restriction request but will attempt to comply with reasonable requests when appropriate.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated you can file a complaint with our Privacy Officer in writing to Risk Management & Quality Control Department at Nanticoke Health Services, 801 Middleford Road, Seaford DE 19973. You may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave S.W., Washington DC, 20201 in writing within 180 days of a violation of your rights. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.

For more information or assistance regarding this notice you may contact the Risk Management and Quality Care office at 302-629-6611 x 2472.