Veteran privacy is paramount at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Veterans face a multitude of security threats including smishing texts on your mobile phone, phishing emails, fraudulent telemarketing calls, and even people impersonating VA employees who show up at your doorstep.
With so many threats targeting Veterans, ensuring your health information at the VA is safe from similar threats is a priority here.
“Make no mistake, there are a lot of people out there who will take advantage of you in an instant and rip you off if they can. You have to be on your toes these days,” said OGJVAMC Privacy Officer Brookelyn Giesen. “Safeguarding your PHI (Personal Health Information) is extremely important and something I take very seriously.”
If you feel your PHI has been mishandled in any way, concerns can be reported to any member of your care team, a patient advocate or the privacy officer. Complaints can be made verbally, or in writing, and are forwarded to the privacy officer who will review and research it and respond in writing to let you know the results of the investigation.
“Employees who have access to Veteran Health Administration records or computer systems are instructed on an ongoing basis about the requirements of federal privacy and information laws, regulations, VA and VHA policy,” explained Giesen. “Employee access or use of personal health information is limited to the minimum necessary standard of information needed to perform their official job duties.”
Veterans have the right to request certain, written communication at an address other than your permanent address and the right to flag your medical record as ‘sensitive’ which will allow us to provide you with a list of all VA employees who have accessed your record. You also have the right to restrict access to your medical records.
If you have any concerns regarding your information at the VA, call the OGJVAMC privacy officer at (906) 774-3300, ext. 32023, Release of Information at (906) 774-3300, ext. 32603, or a patient advocate at (906) 774-3300, ext. 34400.
Be vigilant. Be responsible. Protect your privacy.