HIPAA Patient Directory

1. HIPAAPatient Directory Policy 3.1.20 in the Administrative Guide

2. Patient Directory Information we can sharewith the public but is limited to: • The patient’s name • Location in our facility • One word statement of condition, such as good, fair, serious, critical. (released by patient care team) • Religious affiliation (available only to clergy) • Patient can exclude some or all of their information from the directory. Created by CCTC

3. Who Can Information be Shared With? Unless the patient asks us not to, this information can be shared with: The clergy. For example, the Methodist pastor can obtain a list of Methodist patients. Others who ask for the patient by name. For example, patient visitors and florists. Created by CCTC

4. Outpatient Clinic Workflow 1. The following statement about the directory will be included with appointment reminders and other printed materials provided to the patient as appropriate: Patient Directory- UAMS maintains a list in the computer system of current patients and their scheduled clinic. This information may be provided to callers and/or visitors who may need to locate you. If you do not want to be in this directory, please call the clinic.Similar information may also be included in area signage. Created by CCTC

5. Outpatient Clinic Workflow 2. The patient will be included in the directory unless they tell us not to include them. The directory is visit specific so a request will need to be made for each visit. For outpatient clinic purposes, directory information is limited to patient name and location. Created by CCTC

6. Outpatient Clinic Workflow 3. Patients who are present and wish to be omitted from the directory will fill out a Request to be Excluded from the Patient Directory form that will be scanned into EPF in the “HIPAA” document type. If the patient is not present, the registration person taking the information will fill out the form. The staff will need to clearly outline for the patient the consequences of this request, i.e. that we will not be able to provide their clinic to family and friends trying to locate them. Created by CCTC

7. Outpatient Clinic Workflow 4. Documentation will be maintained in OSCAR in the “Info Release Indicator” field in PATU regarding the patient’s directory status. The “Info Release Indicator field” is usually empty. It should only have something entered if the patient has asked to be excluded from the directory. In that case, the registration person will add the ‘N” (no info) flag in the “Info Release Indicator” field in OSCAR to indicate that “no information” is to be given out on the patient. The ‘N” flag will prevent the patient from displaying on the Patient InformationScreen. Created by CCTC

8. Patients will be included in the directory unless they tell us not to include them. Patients who “opt out” of the patient directory will have an “N” enter in the “Info Release ind” fields PATU. BALL, LUCILLE 001060015-1262 S A M P L E Created by CCTC

9. What Do I Do When Asked for Patient Directory Information? 5. When a visitor asks for a patient location, you must use the Patient Information Screen in OSCAR to assist them. Only today’s visit will display. If the patient is listed, you may provide their location if it displays. If the patient is not listed, they may have asked to be excluded from the directory, or they may not be a patient here. Tell the requestor, “I’m sorry, I don’t show them in our system. They may not be a patient here or may have chosen to not be listed in our directory.” Created by CCTC

10. WhatDoIDoWhenAskedforPatientDirectory Information? The OSCAR Patient Information Screen only displays outpatients. You can call the Patient Information Desk at 686-6416 and obtain information to assist the visitor if the patient is an inpatient. When questions arise, be sure and request assistance from your supervisor. Note: it is not necessary to check the patient directory before providing directions to visitors who ask where a specific clinic or doctor’s office is. Created by CCTC

11. To assist a visitor go to “Patient Information” only Created by CCTC

12. Look up patient BALL Created by CCTC

13. BALL BALL, ABBIE A/FCM BALL, LUCILLE A/NEUM BELL, DING A/FCM BELL, DONG A/EYEB CHICK, HENRY A/NSUR CHILDREN, KK A/EYEB COLEMAN, MILK A/NEUM COOL, DUKE A/MED If they display, you may provide their location Created by CCTC

14. Inpatient Workflow Created by CCTC

15. BALL, LUCILLE 001060015-1262 Patients will be offered the opportunity to “opt out” of the patient directory at registration. The patient will be included in the directory unless they tell us not to include them. The directory is visit specific so a request will need to be made for each admission. Created by CCTC

16. Registration Staff will select the appropriate flag in the “Info Release Indicator” field when registering a patient who has “opted out” of the directory. N - No Info ( to be used if the patient “opts out of the entire directory – no name, no location, no condition, no religious preference) L - No Loc (to be used if the patient wants only their location omitted from the directory) C -No Condition (to be used if the patient does not want their condition released) D -No Loc/Cond ( to be used if the patient does not want their condition or location released) Created by CCTC

17. Additional Information Patients who request their religion to be omitted will have their denomination entered as “none”. Admissions will stamp the patient information sheet to indicate when a patient has been admitted to the hospital and requested to have any or all of their information omitted from the directory, and they will call the unit. Created by CCTC

18. Provisions of Inpatient Information from the Patient Directory What do I do when asked for Inpatient Directory Information? • Refer clergy requests to the Office of Pastoral Care. • Refer requests from the media to the UAMS Office of Communications and Marketing, (501) 686-8149 or (501) 395-5989 in accordance with Policy A.2.01 – Media Relations and Release of Information. After hours calls will be referred to the Assistant Director of Nursing via the Hospital Operator (501) 686-7000. Created by CCTC

19. All Other Requests • All other requests for patient directory information must be provided via the HBO INFO (Information Desk Inquiry) screen or by calling Patient Information at 686-6416. Note: the HBO INFO screen can be utilized to locate both inpatient and outpatients. • If the patient displays on the INFO (Information Desk Inquiry) screen, you may provide their location if it displays and refer requests for condition to the nursing unit. • If the patient is not listed, they may have asked to be excluded from the directory, or they may not be a patient here. Tell the requestor, “I’m sorry, I don’t show them in our system.” • When questions arise, assistance from a supervisor should be sought. Created by CCTC

20. To assist a visitor go to “INFO” only Created by CCTC

21. BALL Look up patient Created by CCTC

22. BALL, SEX: F BALL, ABBIE BALL, LUCILLE BELL, DING BELL, DONG CHICK, HENRY CHILDREN, KK COLEMAN, MILK COOL, DUKE If they display, you may provide their location Created by CCTC

23. Patient Label if available or Print Patient Name Patient Account Number S A M P L E Request to be Excluded from the PatientDirectory