Jefferson Healthcare Policies

Disclaimer

Except as otherwise provided above, everything on this website is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Jefferson Healthcare makes no warranties or representations regarding the information contained on this website, and specifically disclaims any warranty as to the suitability, reliability, timeliness or accuracy of the information contained on this website for any purpose. Jefferson Healthcare does not warrant that the functions contained in the materials will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that this site or the server that makes such materials available are free of viruses or other harmful components. Jefferson Healthcare does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of the materials in this site in terms of their correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise. You (and not Jefferson Healthcare) assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.

Documentation

In an effort to better serve our patients by providing coordinated care within the health care system, Jefferson Healthcare has implemented a centralized documentation and management system. The system incorporates all of Jefferson Healthcare’s affiliated sites and practitioners. Members of your health care team have online access to your health information on a need-to-know basis. The goal of this collaborative project is to improve care for patients by using a central system to facilitate communication, synchronize care, and decrease potential sources of error. Information includes physicians’ office and hospital visits, nursing notes, lab and radiology results, and scheduling and billing information.

Medical Records

Medical records are maintained for all individuals seen in the hospital as inpatients, outpatients, and Emergency Room patients. For adults, records are maintained for 10 years beyond the last contact with the hospital. In the case of minors, records are maintained three years beyond the age of majority. To request copies of your records, please fill out and return the Jefferson Healthcare Authorization to Release Information form. You will need to fill out the authorization completely. Please make sure that you provide us with the following information:

  • Unique patient identifiers (name and birth date)
  • The name of the provider or organization authorized to make the disclosure (Jefferson General Hospital or a Jefferson Healthcare physician)
  • The name of the person or organization to whom we are to release information
  • A description of the specific information to be released
  • A description of the purpose or need for information
  • The signature of the individual (patient or legally authorized representative) and the date. If the signature is that of someone other than the patient, we will require specific documentation of that person’s right to consent, such as guardianship papers or documentation of status as executor of patient estate.

Social Media

PURPOSE

To build communication and trust with our residents and visitors, supplement information shared on our website, and encourage participation through comments and feedback.

 GOALS

Jefferson Healthcare aims to effectively use Social Media Accounts to:

  • Provide information
  • Support community engagement and outreach
  • Support marketing and promotional campaigns
  • Frame the public conversation around Jefferson Healthcare
  • Assist with recruitment efforts
  • Supplement information published on the Hospital website

Please be aware that when engaging with Jefferson Healthcare through Social Media, you agree to the following:

MODERATION OF THIRD-PARTY CONTENT

Jefferson Healthcare does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify, or agree with Third Party comments, messages, posts, opinions, advertisements, videos, promoted content, external hyperlinks, linked websites (or the information, products, or services contained therein), statements, commercial products, processes or services posted on any Social Media Site.

Jefferson Healthcare’s social media sites serve as a limited public forum and all content published is subject to preservation and disclosure in accordance with HIPAA regulations and Washington’s Public Records Act Chapter 42.56 RCW.  Comments will be screened and may be hidden for violations of Jefferson Healthcare’s posting guidelines or the following as soon as practicable:

  • Potentially libelous comments.
  • Profane, obscene, or explicit comments.
  • Hateful or mean-spirited comments.
  • Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language either against the County, others in the community, or those commenting on County social media sites.
  • Plagiarized material, or material that violates intellectual property rights.
  • Private, personal information published without consent.
  • Commercial promotions, solicitations, or spam.
  • Links to content that may contain malicious software, including but not limited to a computer virus, or malware.
  • Comments in support of, or opposition to, political campaigns or ballot measures.
  • Repeated, identical, or very similar comments.
  • Comments that may encourage illegal activity.
  • Comments that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public.

We do not allow information intended to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information provided.

RETENTION

Social media sites contain communications sent to or received by Jefferson Healthcare and its employees, and such communications are therefore public records subject to Washington’s Public Records Act Chapter 42.56 RCW These retention requirements apply regardless of the form of the record (e.g. digital text, photos, audio, and video). Jefferson Healthcare maintaining a site shall preserve records pursuant to a relevant records retention schedule.

EMERGENCY POSTINGS

Social media sites are not monitored 24/7. If there is an emergency, contact 911.

patient advocate

360.385.2200, ext. 2235

social services

360.385.2200, ext. 3315

contact ethics consultation services

360.344.0417

for more information on physician order for life sustaining treatment, call:

360.385.0610