10 Essential Things to Know about WakeMed Patient Information
Introduction
WakeMed Health & Hospitals is a non-profit healthcare system in Raleigh, North Carolina. The system has a network of hospitals, emergency departments, and medical centers that provide high-quality healthcare services to patients. Patients visiting the WakeMed facilities often require medical care and treatment that involves sharing their personal and confidential information. This article will lay out 10 essential things that patients should know about their WakeMed patient information.
1. WakeMed Respects Patient Privacy
WakeMed takes patient privacy very seriously. The healthcare system adheres to federal and state privacy laws that require health care providers to protect the privacy of patient information. Patients can trust that their medical information will be kept confidential and only shared with healthcare providers who need to know it to provide proper care.
2. Patients Have Control Over Their Information
Patients have control over their healthcare information. They have the right to receive a copy of their records and to request updates to their information. WakeMed requires patients to provide consent before sharing their information with anyone outside the healthcare system, except in cases where the law requires it, such as reporting communicable diseases.
3. WakeMed Uses Electronic Health Records
WakeMed uses electronic health records (EHRs) to record and manage patient information. EHRs allow healthcare providers to easily access patient information from any location and share information with other healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care. WakeMed has implemented rigorous security measures to protect EHRs from unauthorized access.
4. WakeMed Collects Minimal Information
WakeMed only collects the information necessary to provide medical care and treatment. Patients can expect to provide basic personal information, such as their name, address, and social security number, along with their medical history, medications, and allergies. WakeMed does not collect unnecessary information that is not relevant to a patient’s medical care.
5. WakeMed Uses Information to Improve Care
WakeMed uses patient information to improve the quality of care that patients receive. Healthcare providers use patient information to develop personalized treatment plans that are tailored to a patient’s individual needs. WakeMed also uses patient information to identify trends in healthcare and enhance the overall quality of care that it provides.
6. WakeMed Protects Information During Transfer
WakeMed ensures that patient information remains secure during transfer. The healthcare system uses secure technologies to transfer patient information between healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care. WakeMed also requires healthcare providers to adhere to strict privacy and security guidelines when handling patient information.
7. WakeMed Provides Patients with Access to their Information
Patients can access their health information at any time by using WakeMed’s patient portal. The patient portal provides patients with a convenient way to review their medical records, request appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers. WakeMed also provides patients with copies of their records upon request.
8. WakeMed Discloses Data Breaches
WakeMed takes data breaches seriously and will disclose any breaches that occur. Patients have the right to be notified in the event of a data breach that compromises their personal information. WakeMed has implemented measures to prevent data breaches, but in the event one occurs, patients can trust that the healthcare system will take swift action to mitigate any potential harm.
9. WakeMed Conducts Regular Audits
WakeMed conducts regular audits to ensure that its privacy and security practices are up to date and effective. Regular audits help identify areas for improvement and ensure that patient information remains secure.
10. WakeMed Has a Dedicated Privacy Officer
WakeMed has a dedicated Privacy Officer who oversees the healthcare system’s privacy and security practices. The Privacy Officer ensures that WakeMed conforms to all federal and state privacy laws and policies. Patients can contact the Privacy Officer with any questions or concerns about their personal information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WakeMed’s commitment to patient privacy and security ensures that patients can trust the healthcare system with their personal and confidential information. Patients have control over their healthcare information and can access it at any time. WakeMed uses patient information to improve the quality of care that patients receive, while protecting their privacy and confidentiality. By adhering to strict privacy and security guidelines, WakeMed has established itself as a leader in patient information management.
