Grossmont Medical Center (GMC) Outpatient Imaging Center will no longer provide fluoroscopy procedures beginning March 24, 2008. The GE digital fluoroscopy equipment will be installed and relocated to the new outpatient Imaging Center, Grossmont Medical Terraces. The anticipated downtime will be approximately four weeks. During the downtime, outpatient will the accommodated in the hospital Imaging Department.

The HIPAA Security Rule adopts standards for the security of electronic protected health information to be implemented by health plans and health care providers. Under this rule, Sharp must assure our patients, providers, and health plans that the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of electronic protected health information that we collect, maintain, use or transmit is protected.

Recent reviews at SGH reveal opportunities for physician improvement.

Physicians are reminded NOT to leave patient lists, test results, or other components of the medical record in the lounges or dining rooms or at computer stations or in any other location where the information will not be appropriately protected.

All physicians at SGH share in the obligation to protect the privacy of records and all other sensitive information of individuals receiving services at the hospital. At a minimum, Protected Health Information (PHI) must not be shared with:

--individuals who are not involved in the care or treatment of patients

--individuals who are involved or know the patient but have no need to know the information

-- In a setting where that information could be overheard by individuals who have no need to know (for example in elevators, lobbies, waiting rooms, hallways, dining rooms, etc.)

-- In a setting where information can be read or transferred from an unattended computer monitor or through any violation of Sharp's Acceptable Use of Information & Computing Resources Policy

Join your colleagues
at a special BBQ lunch
on Monday, March 31,
from 11:30 a.m. till 2 p.m.

We're teeing off a golfing theme and there will be lots of surprises!

SCIP Program Update
Focus on DVT
Friday, May 30
Dale Bratzler, D.O., M.P.H.,
QIOSC Medical Director
Oklahoma Found. Medical Quality
Adjunct Associate Professor
Dept. Health Admin. & Policy
College of Public Health
Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center

Sharp Healthcare will host an All-Day Medical Staff CME event on Saturday, May 3, at Paradise Point. Watch for details!

Are you interested in seeing a recently published issue of the E-Bulletin?