Patient Rights and Privacy
PATIENT RIGHTS
The following is a statement of rights and responsibilities of all UHS patients.
Patients have the right to:
- receive accurate information concerning diagnosis, treatment, risks involved, and prognosis of an illness or health-related condition
- participate actively in decisions regarding your health care treatment
- receive humane care and treatment, with respect and consideration
- a second professional opinion regarding diagnosis or treatment
- change practitioners at UHS
- privacy and confidentiality when seeking or receiving care except for life threatening situations or conditions
- confidentiality of your health records
- accessible information regarding the scope and availability of services
- file a complaint with the Executive Director of UHS regarding any concerns related to confidentiality or the quality of your medical care
- review and amend your medical record
- a copy of your medical record upon receipt of your written request
- revoke your authorization to release your medical information except to the extent that action has not already been taken
- be informed about any legal reporting requirements regarding any aspect of screening, treatment, or care
- be informed of and to exercise the option to refuse to participate in any research related to care without compromising access to medical treatment
Patients have a responsibility to:
- provide complete information about your illness/problem, to enable proper evaluation and treatment
- ask questions so that an understanding of the condition or problem is ensured
- use prescription or medical devices for yourself only
- inform the practitioner(s) if your condition worsens or an unexpected reaction occurs from a medication
- show respect to health personnel and other patients
- reschedule/cancel an appointment so that another person may be given that time slot
- provide requests for permission to release health records in writing, to UHS
- pay bills or file health claims in a timely manner
PRIVACY AND YOUR MEDICAL RECORD
UHS’ confidentiality policy ensures a patient’s right to privacy. A medical record is maintained for each patient to provide accurate and complete information on treatment and care. It is the principal means of communication between the physician and other health care providers and serves as the basis for planning the course of treatment. The medical record includes the medical history, results of examinations, diagnosis, orders and reports for laboratory, radiographic studies, consultation reports, clinical observations, medications ordered and relevant history related to the visit. The record gives documentary evidence on the course of the medical evaluation, treatment and any changes in condition. Your medical record includes visits for medical services, including immunizations and physical therapy. Counseling and Psychological Services records are kept separate from the medical record.
State and federal statutes protect a patient’s records. The physical record and its contents are owned by the health care organization and the physician. The patient has the right to see his/her record. Only authorized health center staff may have access to the information in your record to record or retrieve information for billing, insurance or Student Health Plan claims purposes.
Release of Medical Records
Written authorization from the patient is necessary to release any health records. Records or information can be released under the following conditions:
Emergency Medical Treatment: In a serious medical emergency, health services will give hospitals and other providers’ information about your health history, medications you might be taking and any allergies.
Reportable Diseases: There are state laws that require health care facilities to report communicable and sexually transmitted diseases to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. This is for public health purposes and, in some instances, follow up by a public health official.
Subpoenas and Court Orders: If you are involved in court cases or litigation, many times your medical record or history is part of the "discovery" procedures for certain kinds of cases. If UHS receives a subpoena or a court order for your medical records, they must be released within a certain time period. In some instances, UHS will contact the patient's attorney to verify that this is appropriate.
Other: When signing medical claim forms, applications for insurance coverage and other types of information releases, you are authorizing that agency or organization to obtain a copy of your complete medical record. Be sure to read and understand any clauses in any documents you are signing that pertain to release of medical records - this is for your own protection.
To get a copy of your UHS medical record, you must complete a Medical Record Release Form. A release form is the authorization to copy the medical record - or parts of the medical record and forward to another person or organization. Your original signature and social security number are checked against our available records to validate the authenticity of the request. Copies of the medical record are usually ready for pick up or are forwarded to another provider within 7-10 days. There is a fee for this service.
After you leave Princeton, your records are consolidated (medical records, physical therapy treatments). Records are placed in the off-site UHS archives for future reference by the student. After 10 years, the records are destroyed by shredder and incinerator methods by bonded specialists.
PARENTS
Except for a serious emergency, a student is responsible for notifying his or her parents or guardians regarding a health problem.
BILLING
Supplies, medications, immunizations, and some lab tests are chargeable. These can be charged directly to Student Accounts or paid for by cash, check, and Visa/MasterCard. These items are coded by number. Information is not released on type of service or supply. Questions from parents are referred back to the student.