Patient Email Consent Form

Transmitting patient information by email has a number of risks that patients should consider before using email. These include, but are not limited to, the following risks:

1. Email can be circulated, forwarded, stored electronically and on paper, and broadcast to unintended recipients.
2. Email senders can easily misaddress an email.
3. Backup copies of email may exist even after the sender or the recipient has deleted his or her copy.
4. Employers and online services have a right to inspect email transmitted through their system.
5. Email can be intercepted, altered, forwarded, or used without authorization or detection.
6. Email can be used to introduce viruses into computer systems.
7. Email can be used as evidence in court.
8. Emails may not be secure, including at Nittany Eye Associates, and therefore it is possible that the confidentiality of such communications may be breached by a third party.

Providers cannot guarantee but will use reasonable means to maintain security and confidentiality of email information sent and received. Providers are not liable for improper disclosure of confidential information that is not caused by Provider’s intentional misconduct. Patient must acknowledge and consent to the following conditions:

1. Email is not appropriate for urgent or emergency situations. A Provider cannot guarantee that any particular email will be read and responded to within a particular period of time.
2. Emails must be concise. The patient should schedule an appointment if the issue is too complex or sensitive to discuss via email.
3. Emails will usually be printed/scanned and filed in the patient’s medical record.
4. Office staff may receive and read your messages.
5. Provider will not forward patient identifiable emails outside of Nittany Eye Associates’ healthcare providers without the patient’s prior written consent, except as authorized or required by law.
6. The patient should not use email for communication regarding sensitive medical information.
7. Provider is not liable for breaches of confidentiality caused by the patient or any third party.
8. It is the patient’s responsibility to follow up and/or schedule an appointment when warranted.

To communicate by email, the patient shall:

1. Avoid use of his/her employer’s computer.
2. Put the patient’s name in the body of the email.
3. Key in the topic (e.g.: medical question, billing question) in the subject line.
4. Inform Provider of changes in his/her email address.
5. Acknowledge any email received from the Provider.
6. Take precautions to preserve confidentiality of email.