February 6, 2008

This issue of House Calls will focus on a “hidden” element of health care that can involve special challenges in a small community – our duty to protect our patients’ privacy.

Confidentiality is a key element in good health care.  As caregivers, we have a legal and moral responsibility to maintain it. 

Anyone served at SFMH can be assured that access to their records is limited to each patient’s circle of care.  Caregivers do not have privileged access to information about family or friends in the care of another professional.

There are clear policies to guide our physicians and staff in protecting the confidentiality of information and the release of information regarding patients and their families.  A specific policy deals with the appropriate protection of all SFMH information, but especially patient documentation.  We take our responsibilities very seriously and do everything in our power to make sure your information is secure.

Visitors to our hospital also have a duty to protect the privacy of the neighbours and other acquaintances they may meet in a SFMH hallway.  Please treat everyone with the respect you would expect if you were in their shoes.  When waiting at the registration desk or a nursing station, please make sure you stand back and give others enough room to have a private conversation.

Our privacy guidelines come down to a few simple rules: 

We can tell you:

• A patient’s room or telephone number
• Whether visitors are allowed
• Whether children can visit
• Visiting hours
• How to send a card or a gift

We cannot tell you:

• If an individual is in emergency
• About a patient’s health
• If or when a person was admitted
• The name of the attending doctor
• If a particular staff member is working or where they work

Thank you for being good neighbours by showing that you care while respecting other people’s sensitivities and need for privacy.  Your cooperation and understanding help us to protect the dignity and privacy of those in our care.

Please be aware of the need for privacy, and give others plenty of space while you are waiting at the registration desk at SFMH.

THANKS FROM THE FOUNDATION
Thanks to the tremendous support of our community, this years Tree of lights Campaign raised an outstanding $24,000.00 in support the new Patient Lab Results Reporting system for our Hospital Lab. Wow!!! We are so grateful to everyone who chose to honor loved ones while helping their Hospital!
Special thanks go out to the Lions Club in Palmer and the Recreation Committee in Whitney who helped to run their own events to help with this effort.  Thanks as well to the many, many volunteers it takes to run the campaign and lighting events. We could not do this with out you!