Practice policy
Our practice does not transfer patient information via email. The RACGP currently recommends that Practices take “reasonable steps” to safeguard patient information when sending information via e-mail. For the information to be sent via e-mail the following steps need to occur:
- Consent from patient
- E-mail address confirmation with password protection or
- Software encryption
Practice does not have the capability or capacity to verify the e-mail with password software encryption; we cannot comply with “reasonable steps” to safeguard patient information via email. As such the Practice declines any requests for transfer of patient information via e-mail. E-mails have the following message:- This e-mail address is not regularly monitored and we urge all patients to carefully consider the issue of security before sending medical information via encrypted email. If information time critical, please ring the surgery on (02) 94844788.
Online Security and Technology
Practice procedure
Medicare Australia has developed a security system for health care electronic transactions using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology. The types of digital certificate used in Medicare Australia’s PKI:
- Location certificates which relate to a building, location or the practice
Secure communications
Practice procedure
Internet and email users are responsible for ensuring that the provided facilities are used in an effective, ethical and lawful manner. Internet and email users do not use the internet and email for purposes that are illegal, unethical, harmful to our practice or the medical profession or non-productive. Acceptable use includes obtaining information from medical and business websites, using email for practice business, and accessing online databases.
Unacceptable use includes forwarding chain emails and viruses, transmitting copyrighted materials without permission, visiting websites with obscene or objectionable content; transmitting any offensive, harassing or fraudulent messages or conducting personal business.
Any executable files downloaded from the internet or by email (eg software patches or any files with an .exe, .bat or .com extension) are scanned for viruses following download.
As information from the internet can be outdated, incorrect or misleading, any information obtained from the internet is verified for accuracy with other information sources before being used.
Email disclaimer
Our practice uses the following confidentiality and privilege notice on outgoing emails that are affiliated with the practice:
“This message is confidential and should only be used by the intended addressee. If you were sent this email by mistake, please inform us by reply email and then destroy this message. The contents of this email are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Beecroft Family and Skin Cancer Clinic.”
Our practice configures software so that the confidentiality and privilege notice is automatically added to each outgoing email.