Institutional Federal Compliance Report 2021

Clinical Programs and Policies University Eye Center and Satellite Clinics

The University Eye Center, the patient care facility of the SUNY College of Optometry and an Article 28 diagnostic and treatment center, has been a vital resource to the New York City region for almost five decades, providing cutting-edge eye and vision care to an expanding patient base within our community and beyond. Your clinic responsibilities begin when you arrive at the College. It is the policy of SUNY Optometry that all patients are always treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Listed below, are excerpts of several key policies. Students, faculty and staff are required to comply with all portions of the entire University Eye Center Policy and Procedure Manual, which is online on Sharepoint.

A more detailed Student Clinic Manual is distributed during third-year student orientation to the clinics.

Patient Confidentiality It is the policy of the University Eye Center and the SUNY College of Optometry, to maintain patient confidentiality. As such, the College is compliant with the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations which include training of staff, students and faculty providers. The privacy rules adopted as part of HIPAA, as well as the HITECH Act, established standards for the release of medical information.

Procedure

• Results of clinical findings are provided to patients by providers in the privacy of an examination room or consultation room. • The content of a medical record should only be discussed with the patient by the individual providing the service or the provider’s supervisor. • All conversations concerning information of a clinical nature or matter of patient privacy are conducted in an office, consultation or examination room. • Requests for medical records to be sent to outside agencies, provider offices or to the patient, are handled through the Medical Records Department only. An authorization signed by the patients is required. • Medical records are maintained securely in the University Eye Center’s Medical Records Department and in the electronic health record. • Release of HIV-related information must be in compliance with state regulation and is only handled through the Medical Records Department. • All students are required to complete the University Eye Center’s annual mandatory training via Moodle which covers the general topics of: HIPAA, business integrity, patient safety and environment of care, and the identification and reporting of abuse.

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