NEW HORIZON CARE CENTERS, INC.
NEW HIRE ORIENTATION
Policy Against Personal Involvement with Patients
Employees of NHCC are never to have personal involvement or relationships with current or past patients. This is not limited only to patients of NHCC, but also applies to personal involvement with patients who were receiving care from an agency at which a current NHCC employee previously worked.
Boundaries
Professional boundaries must always be considered with working with any client of NHCC. The goal in maintaining boundaries is to remain as objective as possible. We will enhance the clients’ ability to succeed in their recovery if we maintain the boundaries and standards that are identified in the “Boundary and Standards Supplement” that you received in your new-hire paperwork package.
Please take the time to become familiar with that supplemental document, as there are far too many items to specifically cover in this this particular training. Additionally, if you ever have questions regarding boundaries, please ask your supervisor for guidance.
Confidentiality
Employees may not convey to a person outside of the program that a client attends or receives services from the program or disclose any information identifying a client as an alcohol or other drug or mental health services client, unless the client consents in writing for the release of information, the disclosure is allowed by a court order, or the disclosure is made to qualified personnel for a medical emergency.
Simply put, our patients have a right to confidentiality and we are dedicated to protecting patient rights.
42 CFR Part 2
Employee Manual - Section 3.20
The privacy of health information maintained by NHCC is protected by Federal laws and regulations. Confidentially protected health information of all past or present clients of NHCC is maintained under the federal laws governing the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records and its implementing regulations, 42 C.F.R. Part 2, and by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164.
Any health information, either oral or written, that directly or indirectly identifies an individual as a current or former client, either living or deceased, is protected health information and is covered by this policy. Protected health information will not be used or disclosed except as permitted or required by law.
Failure to maintain the confidentiality of NHCC clients may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Employee Manual - Section 3.21
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires all healthcare providers, payers, and clearinghouses to comply with strict regulations regarding patient privacy. As a result, healthcare professionals must implement reasonable safeguards.
State and Federal Law mandates that patient information is to be held in strictest confidence (including patient information that is personal: diagnosis, family information, patient status, patient observations, and family observations). Reproducing patient information is not allowed unless management grants prior permission. This includes but is not limited to: patient notes, evaluations, charts, or any information contained therein.
Failure to maintain the confidentiality of NHCC clients may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
Unauthorized Disclosure
Employee Manual - Section 3.22
In the event that the confidential information is disclosed without proper authorization, whether verbally, in writing, or electronically, the employee who made or discovered the error must immediately inform their supervisor and the compliance officer.