Teleconsults

Category: Privacy

Date: March 2003

Reviewed/Revised: April 2013

Purpose

This policy has been developed to assure that patient confidentiality is maintained whenever confidential health information of a patient (including, but not limited to, a patient's medical history, medical data, diagnosis and treatment) is viewed or discussed during a medical consultation session conducted over the telemedicine system (hereafter referred to as a teleconsult) attended by any medical staff or employee of EVMS Medical Group. It is important to maximize the patient benefit of a teleconsult while protecting the confidentiality of patient information.

This policy applies to all teleconsults. However, since teleconsulting represents only one part of the patient's contact with EVMS Medical Group this policy is only one part of the overall patient care program.

Procedure

1. The provider who is consulting will assure that the teleconsult is attended only by individuals who have a bona fide interest in the case (i.e. patient, family, and health care providers). Individuals without a bona fide interest will be asked to leave the room at all sites.
2. The provider who is consulting will assure that all medical data presented (i.e. medical history, video or audio recordings of the teleconsult, radiology films, ultrasounds, EKG reports, laboratory test results) will remain confidential.
3. The provider who is consulting will ensure that the appropriate consents and or authorizations are received prior disclosing any health information.