TITLE: Confidentiality
REVISED: January 1, 2018

The security and confidentiality of residents, employee, and facility documents or records are of an upmost importance to our business. The distribution of information regarding our residents, employees, and our business is strictly prohibited.

This policy will be reviewed with new employees and volunteers annually and then, periodically, from there on by the Administrator.

The Administrator is the Public Relations Director and as such only they can issue news releases or answer the questions of the new media. All requests for information concerning Evergreen Estates from outside sources, including newspapers, radio, television and other public organizations shall be referred to the Administrator.

Medical information and any other information considered to be Protected Health Information (“PHI”) concerning our residents is considered strictly confidential and will not be disclosed, except to those indicated in the resident’s medical record or as otherwise permitted by applicable law. Employees may release the physical location of a resident to assist family members and visitors in locating the resident; however, caution is needed to assure confidential medical information is not released in doing so.

Employees will protect and secure resident records so that they are not viewed by other individuals, who have no reason to review such documents. Documents should be turned upside down or closed, so that others are unable to read the contents.

The contents of an employee record are considered confidential and will not be released without prior written authorization from the employee, except as otherwise permitted by applicable law.

A financial record, facility policies, forms and any other operational data that is generated by the facility is considered confidential and sensitive. The unauthorized use of this information is strictly prohibited.

Employee & resident records are subject to review by authorized state and federal employees. Evergreen will use an employee’s social security number for payroll and payroll tax related reasons.

An employee or volunteer who is found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of their employment.