HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Policy Number: AD.H7
HIPAA PRIVACY – NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

POLICY:
The privacy practices of Serenity First Hospice are clearly delineated in the organization’s Notice of Privacy Practices that was developed and is used in accordance with Federal requirements.

PROCEDURES:
The privacy practices of Serenity First Hospice are described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and are further explained in Serenity First Hospice’s privacy policies and procedures.

    1. The Notice of Privacy Practices is given to all patients no later than the date of the first service delivery and is available to anyone who requests it.
    2. A good faith effort is made to obtain written acknowledgement of the patient’s receipt of the hospice’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
    3. When written acknowledgement of the patient’s receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices cannot be obtained, there is documentation to explain efforts made to obtain it and the reason(s) why it was not obtained.
    4. The Notice of Privacy Practices is revised as needed to reflect any changes in Serenity First Hospice’s privacy practices. Revisions to the Notice of Privacy Practices are not implemented prior to the effective date of the revised Notice.
    5. When revisions to the Notices of Privacy Practices are necessary, all current patients, employees, and business associates receive a revised copy with a notation of the changes made.
    6. The Privacy Official retains copies of the original Notice of Privacy Practices and any subsequent revisions for a period of six years from the date of its creation or when it was last in effect, whichever is later.
    7. Documentation is retained for six years of the patient’s written acknowledgment of receipt of the hospice’s Notice of Privacy Practices or of efforts made to obtain this written acknowledgment and the reason(s) why it was not obtained.
    8. All employees and business associates of Serenity First Hospice are required to adhere to the privacy practices as detailed in the Notice of Privacy Practices, privacy policies and procedures and business associate contracts.
    9. Violations of Serenity First Hospice’s privacy practices result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or contracts.
    10. The Notice of Privacy Practices is posted in a clear and prominent location at Serenity First Hospice and on the organization’s website.