The Importance of Patient Privacy

We live today in a world where a new priority is placed on individual privacy. This is primarily because of the many ways personal privacy can be invaded. Once an individual’s personal information is in the wrong hands, it can be easily distributed to a broad audience via the Internet and other digital channels. Even worse, it is virtually impossible to undo a breach of privacy once it has occurred.

Such situations can be damaging to affected individuals in a number of ways. The threats to an individual's privacy are greatest when dealing with businesses that must collect personal information as a part of serving their clients, including doctor and plastic surgeon offices. In such cases, it is important that those businesses have clear and effective policies that deal with privacy and that their patients receive a written privacy notice.

In the medical profession, the importance of having a practice privacy policy is underlined by the HIPAA legislation. The Act mandates that a privacy notice be provided to all patients receiving medical services. There are severe penalties for medical professionals who fail to adequately protect a patient’s private and personal information. In fact, patients must be notified when a breach of their information is even suspected to have occurred.

The Plastic Surgeon Policy on Privacy 

Many people are especially sensitive to privacy when they use the services of a plastic and cosmetic surgeon. That makes the plastic surgeon's privacy policy essential in reassuring patients of their plastic surgery rights. There are a number of reasons to seek the services of a plastic surgeon, but whatever the reason, a patient will rightfully expect full confidentiality when they visit plastic surgeon offices or use the services of any medical professional.

Again, as it is very easy to publish or share personal information on the Internet, every medical professional must be concerned about the protection of patient information. With an effective and enforced plastic surgeon policy on patient privacy in place, the patient will be fully advised in writing of their plastic surgery rights relative to confidentiality.

Patients of Dr. Mona Rane receive this assurance verbally and in writing. Patients can take comfort in knowing that the doctor and staff are committed to protecting the confidentiality of their personal information, including billing data. Additionally, all communications and procedures used in the office are considered to be protected and treated accordingly. Give Dr. Mona Rane a call today and ask her what her office's patient privacy policy is! Visit her website at www.monaranemd.com for more information.