The confidentiality of your health information is important to us.  This means that we protect your health information and use or disclose it only as authorized by law.

How is your information stored and accessed?

Good health care depends on a good relationship with your care provider, a relationship based on the trust that we will respect your privacy about the information you provide. We protect your privacy in a number of ways so that you can feel secure.

We protect your personal information on our computer network. We have strict policies governing access, use and release of information. In effect, your medical file is being contained within an "electronic" safe-deposit box. All information gathered for treatment is kept secure so that only authorized staff can access your record. Our staff members have signed an agreement that they will protect your information and respect its confidential nature.

How do we use your health information?

The Overton Brooks VAMC uses a state-of-the-art computer system that allows our providers to access your record at the time and place that it is needed, making critical medical information available to your provider instantly. This availability contributes to high quality care for you.

No one can look at your health information without the appropriate authorization. VHA employees may use your information when they need the information in the official performance of their duties for treatment, payment and health care operations purposes. VHA may use your health data for medical research purposes when authorized by our institutional review board, or with your authorization or when the information is used in a way that your identity is not known. In order to improve the quality of health care, we sometimes review medical records to make sure our doctors, nurses and other health care clinicians are practicing the highest quality of care. In quality reviews reports, patient names are not used.

How do we ensure privacy and confidentiality?

Your care is a personal matter and we know that you want private things to remain private. We comply with all Federal and local policies to ensure our employees respect confidentiality. We ask your permission before we release your medical record information to someone outside our Medical Center , unless the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. Sec. 552a), HIPAA or other Federal law authorizes disclosure without your authorization.

If you have questions regarding confidentiality of your health information, please talk with your caregiver or call us at 1-800-863-7441 , and ask for the Privacy Officer.