Effective date: January 28, 2009
Ridgeview Medical Center is sensitive to protecting the privacy of our Web site visitors. The purpose of this Privacy Statement is to let you know how we handle information received from you through this Web site, as well as inform you of the risks involved when you communicate or provide information by way of the Internet. Keep in mind that changes are periodically made to this Privacy Statement without notice and it is your responsibility to review the Statement when you use this Web site. By continuing to use this site, you consent to any changes to our policy or terms of use.
During your visit to our Web site, remember that the medical and health information presented here is intended to be general in nature, and should not be viewed as a substitute for professional advice. Please consult with a health care professional for all matters relating to personal medical and health care issues.
Health and Medical Information
Certain health and medical information about you is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and applicable state law. This information may be provided by you online or offline, or may be collected by us from other methods such as through a health care provider. We protect covered health and medical information as required by HIPAA and applicable state law. Similarly, we may use covered health and medical information as permitted by HIPAA and applicable state law.
To read more about our privacy practices regarding health and medical information under HIPAA, please click here [Notice of Privacy Practices]. In the event of any conflict between our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and this Web Site Privacy Statement, the terms of our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices shall control.
Security/Confidentiality
No transmission of data over the Internet or any wireless network can be guaranteed to be 100 percent secure. We will, however, use a number of physical security methods (such as locks and alarm systems); electronic security methods (passwords and encryption methods); and procedural methods (rules regarding the handling and use of information) to protect the security and integrity of information submitted through this Web site.
Information Collection and Storage
Personally Identifiable Information: We do not collect information that personally identifies you unless you choose to provide it to us (for example, Web pages that allow you to register for a class, complete an online job application or send an e-mail message). The personal information you submit is shared only with those people in our organization who need this information to respond to your question or request, and as otherwise permitted by law to allow us to operate our business or to comply with applicable laws.
As used in this Privacy Statement, personal information does not include information protected under HIPAA or applicable state laws, which is protected as described in the section “Health and Medical Information” above.
Non-Personally Identifiable Information: We collect information that does not personally identify you for various purposes (for example, Web site usage, traffic patterns, site performance and related statistics based on our tracking record of your visits to our Web site).
We collect some of this information using persistent “cookies” to recognize a repeat visitor; this helps us collect general information about how our site is viewed. We also collect and log the IP address of each visitor to gather aggregate data on visitors to our site. Keep in mind that neither cookies nor IP addresses are used to collect any personal information from you.
E-Mail
Most e-mail does not provide a completely secure and confidential means of communication. It is possible that your e-mail could be viewed inappropriately by another Internet user. If you choose to provide us with your e-mail, any misaddressing may result in others intercepting, altering, forwarding or using the information without authorization. If you wish to keep your information completely private, you should not use e-mail.
From time to time, a representative from Ridgeview’s Web site may wish to deliver information to you via e-mail. In addition, Ridgeview's Community Relations Department and/or Ridgeview Foundation may occasionally distribute news and announcements via e-mail. Please note, we do not sell, trade, or otherwise share our e-mail lists with others. You may remove your name from any list you have registered for using our Web site’s established method.
Links to Other Web Sites
Our Web site contains links to other Web sites that are not managed or controlled by us. These links are provided for your convenience only. We do not review, endorse or take responsibility for the content of these other Web sites. If you choose to access such sites, you are subject to the privacy policies of those sites. - If you receive e-mail at work, your employer may have the right to save and read your e-mail; similarly, your Internet service provider may have the right to save and read your e-mail.
- If you share your e-mail account, others may view your e-mails.
- E-mail can be used unknowingly to spread computer viruses.
Information from Children
Our Web site is not intended to attract or collect information from children under the age of 13, unless they receive verifiable parental consent. If you think we have collected personal information from a child under the age of 13 through this Web site, please contact us immediately.
Printing or Downloading Information
Unless otherwise stated, you may print or download information from our Web site for personal, non-commercial use only. You must, however, identify the source of the material and include a statement that the materials are protected by copyright law.
Web Site Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Statement, please contact us at: library.webservices@ridgeviewmedical.org
Ridgeview Medical Center
500 South Maple Street
Waconia, MN 55387