Donna Gentile DDS PC

DonnaGentileDDS.com

It may become useful during the course of treatment to communicate by email, text message (e.g. "SMS") or other electronic methods of communication. Be informed that these methods, in their typical form, are not confidential or secure means of communication. If you use these methods to communicate with our office, there is a reasonable chance that a third party may be able to intercept and eavesdrop on those messages. The kinds of parties that may intercept these messages include, but are not limited to:

• People in your home or other environments who can access your phone, computer, or other devices that you use to read and write messages.

• Your employer, if you use your work email to communicate with our office.

• Third parties on the Internet such as server administrators and others who monitor Internet traffic If there are people in your life that you don't want accessing these communications, please talk with us about ways to keep your communications safe and confidential.

By sending us a non-secure message, you are giving your implied consent to allow us to use unsecured
email and mobile phone text messaging to transmit protected health information.

Donna Gentile DDS PC will use reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of
information sent and received using electronic communications (ie: Text, Email). However, because of
the risks outlined below, we cannot guarantee the security and confidentiality of electronic
communications:

• Use of electronic communications to discuss sensitive information can increase the risk of such information being disclosed to third parties.

• Despite reasonable efforts to protect the privacy and security of electronic communication, it is not possible to completely secure the information.

• Employers and online services may have a legal right to inspect and keep electronic communications that pass through their system.

• Electronic communications can introduce malware into a computer system, and potentially damage or disrupt the computer, networks, and security settings.

• Electronic communications can be forwarded, intercepted, circulated, stored, or even changed without the
  knowledge or permission of the Physician or the patient.

• Even after the sender and recipient have deleted copies of electronic communications, back-up copies may exist on a computer system.

• Electronic communications may be disclosed in accordance with a duty to report or a court order.

• Videoconferencing using services such as Skype or Face Time may be more open to interception that other forms of video conferencing.

If the email or text is used as an e-communication tool, the following are additional risks:

• Email, text messages, and instant messages can more easily be misdirected, resulting in increased risk of being received by unintended and unknown recipients.

• Email, text messages, and instant messages can be easier to falsify than handwritten or signed hard copies. It is not feasible to verify the true identity of the sender, or to ensure that only the recipient can read the message once it has been sent.

Conditions of using the Services:

• While Donna Gentile DDS PC and affiliates will attempt to review and respond in a timely fashion to your electronic communication, we cannot guarantee that all electronic communications will be reviewed and responded to within any specific period of time. The Services will not be used for medical emergencies or other time-sensitive matters.

• If your electronic communication requires or invites a response from the Physician and you have not received a response within a reasonable time period, it is your responsibility to follow up to determine whether the intended recipient received the electronic communication and when the recipient will respond.

• While Donna Gentile DDS PC and affiliates will attempt to review and respond in a timely fashion to your electronic communication, we cannot guarantee that all electronic communications will be reviewed and responded to within any specific period of time. The Services will not be used for medical emergencies or other time-sensitive matters.

• Electronic communication is not an appropriate substitute for in-person or over-the-telephone communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for attending the Emergency Department when needed. You are responsible for following up on all electronic communication and for scheduling appcintments where warranted.

• Electronic communications concerning diagnosis or treatment may be printed or transcribed in full and made part of your medical record. Other individuals authorized to access the medical record, such as staff and billing personnel, may have access to those communications.

• Donna Gentile DDS PC and affiliates may forward electronic communications to staff and those involved in the delivery and administration of your care. We might use one or more of the Services to communicate with those involved in your care. We will not forward electronic communications to third parties, including family members, without your prior written consent, except as authorized or required by law.

• You agree to inform the Donna Gentile DDS PC and affiliates of any types of information you do not want sent via the Services. You can add to or modify the above list at any time by notifying Donna Gentile DDS PC in writing.

• Some Services might not be used for therapeutic purposes or to communicate clinical information. Where applicable, the use of these Services will be limited to education, information, and administrative purposes.

• Donna Gentile DDS PC is not responsible for information loss due to technical failures associated with
  your software or internet service provider.

Instructions for communication using the Services to communicate using the Services, you must:

• Reasonably limit or avoid using an employer's or other third party's computer.

• Inform the office of any changes in the patient's email address, mobile phone number, or other account information necessary to communicate via the Services.

If the Services include email, instant messaging and/or text messaging, the following applies:

• Include in the message's subject line an appropriate description of the nature of the communication (e.g. "prescription renewal"), and your full name in the body of the message.

• Review all electronic communications to ensure they are clear and that all relevant information is provided before sending to the office.

• Ensure the office is aware when you receive an electronic communication, such as by a reply message or allowing "read receipts" to be sent.

• Take precautions to preserve the confidentiality of electronic communications, such as using screen savers and safeguarding computer passwords.

• Withdraw consent only by written communication.

• If you require immediate assistance, or if your condition appears serious or rapidly worsens, you should not rely on the
  Services. Rather, you should call our office or take other measures as appropriate, such as going to the nearest Emergency Department or urgent care clinic.

• You are responsible for any standard text messaging rates from your mobile carrier.

You have been informed of the risks, including but not limited to loss of confidentiality in treatment, of transmitting protected health information by unsecured means. You may terminate this consent at any time by simply replying STOP to any message or written communication to our office.

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