TELEHEALTH SERVICES NOTICE

Introduction:

Telehealth involves the use of electronic communications to enable health care providers at different locations to share individual patient medical information for the purpose of improving patient care. The information may be used for telehealth visits and may include any of the following:  live two-way audio and video, phone calls, patient medical records, medical images, and output data from medical devices and sound and video files.

Electronic systems used will incorporate network and software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of patient identification and imaging data and will include measures to safeguard the data and to ensure its integrity against intentional or unintentional corruption.

Benefits and Risks:

There are benefits and possible risks associated with the use of telehealth services. These include, but may not be limited to:

Expected Benefits:

  • Improved access to medical care by enabling a patient to remain at a remote site while the provider is at other remote site;
  • More efficient medical evaluation and management, and services provided by your care team.

Possible Risks:

  • In rare cases, information transmitted may not be sufficient (e.g. poor resolution of images) to allow for appropriate medical decision making by the provider);
  • Delays in medical evaluation and treatment could occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment;
  • In rare instances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of personal medical information;
  • Standard wireless carrier data charges may apply for the use of mobile applications during the telehealth visit, and are not the responsibility of NorthStar Palliative Care.  

If you have questions or concerns about this notice, please discuss with your provider or care team prior to participating in a telehealth visit. You can call NorthStar Palliative Care at phone number: 877-227-8823.

Participating in a telehealth services with NorthStar Palliative Care following receipt of this message, constitutes your understanding and acceptance of these terms:

1. Laws that protect privacy and the confidentiality of medical information also apply to telehealth, and that no information obtained in the use of telehealth which identifies me will be disclosed to researchers or other entities without my consent.

2. Patients have the right to refuse telehealth services in the course of my care at any time, without affecting my right to future care or treatment.

3. Patients have the right to inspect all information obtained and recorded in the course of a telehealth interaction, and may receive copies of this information.

4. Patients should expect the anticipated benefits from the use of telehealth, but no results can be guaranteed or assured.

5. It is the responsibility of the patient/patient representative to only have those present during the telehealth visits that are involved in the care of the patient.  A private location is recommended in order to avoid others from hearing confidential discussions.

6. NorthStar Palliative Care is not responsible in the rare event that any of the outlined risks in this notice do occur.

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