Our Email Policy

Direct communication with Doctor Vrchota via email is not possible. Please direct all inquiries to staff at frontdesk@karenvrchota.com.

As part of Integrative Health Care of Winona, PA, with regulatory compliance efforts relative and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE OF WINONA, PA is asking that all current and potential patients who now or may desire to communicate with us via e-mail read the following notice. Furthermore, by using email from this website or with INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA, PA I have read, understand and agree to the following;

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNICATING VIA THIS MEDIUM

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA, PA offers patients the opportunity to communicate by e-mail. Transmitting patient information by e-mail, however, has a number of risks that patients should consider before using e-mail. These include, but are not limited to, the following risks:

• E-mail can be circulated, forwarded, and stored in numerous paper and electronic files.
• E-mail can be immediately broadcast worldwide and be received by many intended and unintended recipients.
• E-mail senders can easily misaddress an e-mail.
• E-mail is easier to falsify than handwritten or signed documents.
• Back-up copies of e-mail may exist even after the sender or the recipient has deleted his or her copy.
• Employers and on-line services have a right to archive and inspect e-mails transmitted through their systems.
• E-mail can be intercepted, altered, forwarded, or used without authorization or detection.
• E-mail can be used to introduce viruses into computer systems
• E-mail can be used as evidence in court.

CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF E-MAIL

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA will use reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of e-mail information sent and received. However, because of the risks outlined above, INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA cannot guarantee the security and confidentiality of e-mail communication, and will not be liable for improper disclosure of confidential information that is not caused by INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA intentional misconduct. Thus, patients must consent to the use of e-mail for patient information. Consent to the use of e-mail includes agreement with the following conditions:

• All e-mails to or from the patient concerning diagnosis or treatment will be printed out and made part of the patient's medical record. Because they are a part of the medical record, other individuals authorized to access the medical record, such as staff and billing personnel, will have access to those e-mails.
• INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA may forward e-mails internally to INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA staff and agents as necessary for diagnosis, treatment, reimbursement, and other handling. INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA will not, however, forward e-mails to independent third parties without the patient's prior written consent, except as authorized or required by law.
• Although INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA will endeavor to read and respond promptly to an e-mail from the patient, INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA cannot guarantee that any particular e-mail will be read and responded to within any particular period of time. Thus, the patient shall not use e-mail for medical emergencies or other time-sensitive matters.
• If the patient's e-mail requires or invites a response from INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA, and the patient has not received a response within a reasonable time period, it is the patient's responsibility to follow up to determine whether the intended recipient received the e-mail and when the recipient will respond.
• The patient should not use e-mail for communication regarding sensitive medical information, such as information regarding sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS/HIV, mental health, developmental disability, or substance abuse.
• The patient is responsible for informing INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA of any types of information the patient does not want to be sent by e-mail, in addition to those set out in 2 (e) above.
• The patient is responsible for protecting his/her password or other means of accessing to e-mail. INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA is not liable for breaches of confidentiality causes by the patient or any third party.
• INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA shall not engage in e-mail communication that is unlawful, such as unlawfully practicing medicine across state lines.
• It is the patient's responsibility to follow up and/or schedule an appointment if warranted.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA VIA E-MAIL

To communicate by e-mail, the patient shall:

• Limit or avoid use of his/her employer's computer.
• Inform INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA of changes in his/her e-mail address.
• Put the patient's name in the body of the e-mail.
• Include the category of the communication in the e-mail's subject line, for routing purposes (e.g., billing question).
• Review the e-mail to make sure it is clear and that all relevant information is provided before sending to INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA.
• Inform INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA that the patient received an e-mail from INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA.
• Take precautions to preserve the confidentiality of e-mails, such as using screen savers and safeguarding his/her computer password.
• Withdraw consent only by e-mail or written communication to INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA.

PATIENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT

I acknowledge that I have read and fully understand this consent notice. I understand the risks associated with the communication of e-mail between INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA and me, and consent to the conditions outlined herein. In addition, I agree to the instructions outlined herein, as well as any other instructions that INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OF WINONA may impose to communicate with patients by e-mail.
Last Updated: May 2004