Q & A explains new policies for consent to photograph

SHC responds to SARS with protocols based on latest information

Physicians needed to serve on SHC's medical staff committees

Stanford aims for comprehensive cancer center status

President Bush taps Martha Marsh to serve on advisory council

Internal medicine chief puts a priority on quality improvement

Match Day 2003

Q&A EXPLAINS NEW POLICIES FOR CONSENT TO PHOTOGRAPH

The medical privacy rules that took effect last month as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act have prompted several changes in the Consent to Photograph form that patients sign if their photographic or electronic reproductions (including videotapes, motion pictures and/or electronic recordings) are to be taken. While the old Consent to Photograph form was quite broad - allowing the patient's photographic or electronic reproductions to be used for a wide range of scientific or educational purposes - the new form is much more specific, allowing only limited uses of these reproductions as specified under HIPAA. The following Q&A addresses key aspects of the new Consent to Photograph form and procedures.

Q. When should the patient sign the Consent to Photograph Form?

A. The purpose of this form is primarily to address state laws concerning right to privacy and intellectual property. The form should be signed by the patient in cases where the photos or electronic reproductions are not necessary as an intrinsic part of a procedure or treatment and
If the reproductions identify* the patient (see definition) and will be used for internal training activities or quality-assurance review, or
If the reproductions do not identify the patient and will be used for any purpose other than the patient's treatment or research.

Q. If the patient has signed a Consent to Operation form, does he/she also need to sign the Consent to Photograph form?

A Final HIPAA Reminder:

The medical privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act took effect on April 14. To ensure that Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital are in full compliance with the law, all medical staff members must complete online HIPAA training and be aware of the SHC/ LPCH policies and practices relevant to their practice. To access the training, go to http://hipaainfo.stanfordmed.org. Physicians should log on using their dictation number and choose Track 3 for their training. More detailed instructions are on the Medical Staff Update Web site, http://www.med.stanford.edu/shc/update. Medical staff members who are involved in teaching and/or research must also complete separate training modules at the School of Medicine's HIPAA Web site, http://www.med.stanford.edu/HIPAA. In addition, all medical staff members should review SHC's Notice of Privacy Practices, a multipage document that describes the hospital and clinics' medical privacy practices. As required by HIPAA, this document is now given to all SHC patients during the first patient encounter. For more information, go to http://intranet-medcenter/shc/hipaa, which includes an FAQ, a HIPAA physician guide and information on SHC's policies and procedures regarding HIPAA. Information is also available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at www.hhs.gov/hipaa.

Questions about HIPAA can be directed to: hipaaQ&A@medcenter.stanford.edu; or to D'Arcy Myjer, SHC's privacy officer, at D'arcy.Myjer@medcenter.stanford.edu or (650) 725-6291; or to Carole Klove, chief compliance officer, at Carole.Klove@medcenter.stanford.edu or (650) 724-2572.