Please read this information carefully:
With the changing world of healthcare and technology, we are offering our patients an electronic method of communication. You have the right to request that Bay Area Foot Care communicate with you via email and or SMS messaging. You also have the right to know the associated risks with the use of non-encrypted electronic communication.
The transmission of patient information by email and/or texting has a number or risks that patients should consider prior to consenting. 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 text messages:
Our office cannot guarantee but will use all reasonable precautions to maintain security and confidentiality of email and text information sent and received. Our office is not liable for improper disclosure of confidential information that is not caused by intentional misconduct.
Patients/Legal Guardians must acknowledge and consent to the following conditions:
- Email and/or texting are not appropriate for urgent or emergency situations. Our office 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 /legal guardian should call and/or schedule an appointment to discuss complex and/or sensitive situations.
- We will use email to communicate with you only about non-sensitive and non-urgent issues such as:
- Questions about prescriptions. use of medical equipment or devices
- Routine follow up questions
- Appointinent scheduling
- Billing questions
- Your e-mail messages may be forwarded to another office staff member as necessary for appropriate handling.
- Patients /legal guardians should not use email or texts for communication of sensitive medical information.
- Our office is not liable for breaches of confidentiality caused by the patient or any third party.
- It is the Patients / legal guardian's responsibility to follow up and/or schedule an appointment if warranted.
IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, DO NOT USE E-MAIL or TEXT MESSAGING...CALL 911
Reminder: do not use e-mail for urgent problems. If you have an urgent problem, call our office if during business hours or go to an urgent care facility.