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EMAIL & TEXTING

Risk of using email/texting


The transmission of patient information by email and/or texting has a number of risks that patients should consider prior to the use of email and/or texting. These include, but are not limited to, the following risks:

  • Email and texts can be circulated, forwarded, stored electronically and on paper, and broadcast to unintended recipients.

  • Email and text senders can easily misaddress an email or text and send the information to an undesired recipient.

  • Backup copies of emails and texts may exist even after the sender and/or the recipient has deleted his or her copy.

  • Employers and on-line services have a right to inspect emails sent through their company systems.

  • Emails and texts can be intercepted, altered, forwarded or used without authorization or detection.

  • Email and texts can be used as evidence in court.

  • Emails and texts may not be secure and therefore it is possible that the confidentiality of such communications may be breached by a third party.


Conditions for the use of email and texts


Provider and/or staff cannot guarantee but will use reasonable means to maintain security and confidentiality of email and text information sent and received. Provider is not liable for improper disclosure of confidential information that is not caused by the provider’s intentional misconduct. Patients/Parents/Legal Guardians must acknowledge and consent to the following.

  • Email and texting is not appropriate for urgent or emergency situations. Provider cannot guarantee that any particular email and/or text will be read and responded to within any particular period of time.

  • Email and texts should be concise. The patient/parent/legal guardian should call and/or schedule an appointment to discuss complex and/or sensitive situations.

  • All email will usually be printed and filed into the client’s medical record. Texts may be printed and filed as well. 

  • Provider will not forward patient’s/parent’s/legal guardian’s identifiable emails and/or texts without the patient’s/parent’s/legal guardian’s written consent, except as authorized by law.

  • Patients/parents/legal guardians should not use email or texts for communication of sensitive medical information.

  • Provider is not liable for breaches of confidentiality caused by the client or any third party. g. It is the client’s/parent’s/legal guardian’s responsibility to follow up and/or schedule an appointment if warranted.

 

​vers 8.12.18

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