Beechwood Nursing Home
Beechwood Residence
Blocher Homes
Resident Rights
Directive and Procedure
Subject: HIPAA: Privacy Notice
Policy: Resident Rights

Directive: All residents/patients admitted to Beechwood Continuing Care will be afforded the right to know what information about them is obtained and how this information is used and disclosed.

Procedure: Before or on admission, or as soon as practical thereafter the resident/patient or designated representative is given a copy of the facility’s Privacy Notice.

The notice is reviewed by the Admission Representative, and the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification is provided.

The signature of the resident/patient or designated representative is obtained as acknowledgment and receipt of the notice and this signature is kept on file with the Admission Agreement.

The resident/patient or designated representative will be instructed to contact the facility’s Privacy Officer if further explanation or "opt-out" requests are made.

President
Department Director
March 12, 2003
Effective Date
Related Disciplines
RI435*

PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Notice pertains to residents of the Beechwood Residence, Beechwood Nursing Home and Blocher Homes. Information is collected about you before admission, during the admission process; during your stay and in follow up to your stay. This includes medical, social, financial and personally identifiable information. This notice describes how the information about you is used, disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review the following carefully.

You will be asked to sign a consent allowing us to use and disclose your Protected Health Information to others to provide you with treatment, obtain payment for our services, and run our health care operations. Here are examples of how we use and disclose your health information.

Information you or others provide to us is used to assess your health care needs and to develop a comprehensive plan of care. All or part of this information may be shared as needed with Beechwood Continuing Care (BCC) staff. All staff members are required to abide by BCC confidentiality directives.

All information about you is securely stored and protected in charts or files. Paper copy and electronic records are accessible to those with authorization or identified need. Outdated information is destroyed by shredding or incineration. We may disclose information to any organization assisting in disaster relief efforts.

Methods of disclosure of your information may include verbal, written, telephone, fax, or electronic.

Information is shared with outside professionals and agencies such as your doctor, consulting physicians, pharmacy, medical supply company, lab, diagnostic x-ray companies, ambulance/transport companies, hospitals, other nursing homes, home care agencies, post discharge community services and funeral homes as necessary to help make sure you receive all of the services and care you require.

Information is shared with family members and/or significant others of your choice, those you wish to know about your care. Unless you object, facility directory information such as name and room number is made available for those who inquire. Information is also shared regarding birthdays and those who expire.

Limited information may be shared with your church or temple so you may continue to receive spiritual care.

Photographs may be taken and used in the facility for Activity programs and for identification purposes. You will be asked for permission to reproduce your photo in any publication seen by the general public.

General demographic information (name, address, etc.) may be used to contact you to raise funds for the Beechwood/Blocher Foundation which provides support to our facilities and our residents. You have the opportunity to opt out or restrict your receiving fund raising communications.

Assessment and service information is shared with the Federal and State Medicare/Medicaid agencies for purposes of payment. This same type of information may be shared with an HMO, workers compensation or other private insurance organization involved in claims or payment concerning your care.

Information required by law, law enforcement agencies, national security, military command, or by regulatory agencies such as the NYS Health Dept. and Department of Social Services charged in oversight of skilled nursing and adult facility care, will be shared in accordance with current law. This includes the facility ombudsman, abuse, neglect or domestic violence reporting, and any public health activities or judicial and administrative proceedings.

Information is shared with Administrators, Board of Directors, Consultants and Accrediting Agencies for purpose of evaluation of services, quality compliance and care provided.

Information may be collected and shared for statistical purposes, research, measurement, statistical reports, outcome analysis and planning. This may include with NYS Health Dept, UDS (Uniform Data Systems for Medical Rehabilitation).

NYS law may require our facilities to follow more stringent practices where other laws may apply.

Other uses and disclosures of information not included in the purposes stated above will require a written authorization by the resident or designated representative. Authorizations may be revoked in writing by you at any time.

You or your "designated representative", the person you choose to be informed about your care, have the right to your information, a right to receive a copy, inspect information being disclosed, request restrictions of disclosures and request to amend information you do not agree with. The facility has the right to disagree with any amendment.

You have the right to have an accounting of all disclosures except those for treatment, payment and operations.

Any concerns or questions concerning your privacy or possible violation of your privacy can be brought to the attention of the facility’s Privacy Officer as listed below or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services:

Privacy Officer
Director of Health Information Management
Beechwood Continuing Care
716-504-2788

You are guaranteed the right of no retaliation from filing any concerns or complaints.