1. Risks:
a. General e-mail risks are the following: e-mail can be immediately broadcast worldwide and be received by many intended and unintended recipients; recipients can forward email to other recipients with or without the original sender(s) permission, or knowledge; users can easily misaddress an e-mail; e-mail is easier to falsify than handwritten, or signed documents; backup copies of e-mail may exist even after the sender, or recipient has deleted his/her history.
b. Specific e-mail risks are the following: e-mail containing information pertaining to diagnosis and/or treatment must be included in the protected personal health information; all individuals who have access to the protected personal health information will have access to the e-mail messages; patients who send, or receive e-mail from their place of employment risk having their employer read their e-mail.
2. It is the policy of Innovative Body Healing that all e-mail messages sent or received, which concern the diagnosis, or treatment of the patient will be a part of that patient’s protected personal health information and we will treat such e-mail messages, or internet communications, with the same degree of confidentiality as afforded other portions of the protected personal health information. Innovative Body Healing will use reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of e-mail or internet communication. Because of the risks outlined above, we cannot, however, guarantee the security and confidentiality of e-mail, or internet communications.
3. Patients must consent to the use of e-mail for confidential medical information after having been informed of the above risks. Consent to the use of e-mail includes agreement with the following conditions:
a. All e-mail to or from patients concerning diagnosis and/or treatment will be made a part of the protected personal health information. As a part of the protected personal health information, Dr. Natalie, other healthcare practitioners, insurance coordinators, and upon written authorization other healthcare providers and insurers will have access to e-mail messages contained in protected personal health information.
b. Innovative Body Healing practitioners may forward e-mail messages within the practice as necessary for diagnosis and treatment. We will not, however, forward the e-mail outside the practice without the consent of the patient as required by law.
c. We at Innovative Body Healing will endeavor to read e-mails promptly, but can provide no assurance that the recipient of the particular e-mail will read the e-mail message promptly. Therefore, e-mail must not be used in a medical emergency. It is the responsibility of the sender to determine whether the intended recipient received the e-mail and when the recipient will respond.
d. Because some medical information is so sensitive that unauthorized disclosure can be very damaging, e-mail should not be used for communications concerning diagnosis, or treatment of AIDS/HIV infection; other sexually transmissible, or communicable diseases, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, and the like; Behavioral health, Mental health, or developmental disability; or alcohol and drug abuse.
e. Innovative Body Healing cannot guarantee that electronic communications will be private.
However, we will take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of the e-mail, or
internet communication. However, Dr. Natalie is not liable for improper disclosure of confidential information not caused by its employee’s gross negligence, or wanton misconduct.
f. If consent is given for the use of e-mail, it is the responsibility of the patient to inform
Innovative Body Healing staff of any type of information you do not want to be sent by e-mail.
g. It is the responsibility of the patient to protect their password or other means of access to e-mail sent, or received, from Innovative Body Healing, to protect confidentiality. Innovative Body Healing is not liable for breaches of confidentiality caused by the patient. Any further use of e-mail initiated by the patient that discusses diagnosis, or treatment, constitutes informed consent to the foregoing. I understand that my consent to the use of e-mail may be withdrawn at any time by e-mail, or written communication, to Innovative Body Healing at heal@oasishealingforyou.com
I have read this form carefully and understand the risks and responsibilities associated with the use of e- mail. I agree to assume all risks associated with the use of e-mail.