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Privacy Policy

 

I.  Introduction

West Clinical Research on its own behalf, owns and operates the websites located at (website list) and various mobile applications (collectively, the "Website" or "Websites"). Through these Websites, West Clinical Research offers various online services that enable visitors to the Websites ("Visitors") to receive access to various types of healthcare information and information about West Clinical Research’s services ("Services").Through this policy, West Clinical Research acknowledges that privacy of information is of great importance to the Visitors.

 

II. Applicability of this Privacy Policy

This Web and Mobile Privacy Policy ("Privacy Policy") describes what information West Clinical Research collects about Visitors on the publicly available portions of the Websites and how that information is used.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to information collected from Visitors who register and log-in ("Members") to the password protected and secure portions of our websites and mobile applications ("Secure Platforms"). These Secure Platforms allow Members to perform certain transactions (e.g. initiate a case) and use West Clinical Research Services. All information stored and collected by West Clinical Research or added by Members into such Secure Platforms is identifiable, protected health information (PHI) and therefore governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"). How West Clinical Research uses and discloses such PHI shall be in accordance with West Clinical Research’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

 

III. Agreement to this Privacy Policy

A Visitor’s access and use of the Websites is subject to the Visitor’s agreement with this Privacy Policy and the Web and Mobile Terms and Conditions. By using the Website, the Visitor expressly agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection and use of information as discussed in this Privacy Policy.

If the Visitor does not agree with this Privacy Policy, the Visitor may not access or use the Websites for any purpose.

 

IV. Modifications to this Privacy Policy

West Clinical Research may revise this Privacy Policy regarding the collection of information at any time. Should this Privacy Policy change materially, West Clinical Research will give notice to Visitors by posting a notice regarding the new policy on the Websites. The revised Privacy Policy will be effective as of its posting unless otherwise stated.

By accessing or using the Website after such changes are posted, Visitors agree to all such changes.

 

V. Collection, Use and Disclosure of Information

Either West Clinical Research or a third-party vendor on behalf of West Clinical Research may automatically collect information while Visitors browse the Websites. West Clinical Research may collect such information by tracking, or asking a third party vendor to track, Visitor click-stream activity when such information is not tied to a user ID through the use of "cookie" technology or by tracking internet protocol (IP) addresses, as explained below.

West Clinical Research will collect some basic information about Visitors and their devices, including, but not limited to:

  • IP address (the computer's address on the Internet)

  • Operating system (e.g. Windows Vista)

  • Browser software (e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox)

  • Internet Service Provider (e.g. AOL)

  • Geographic location (e.g. Boston, Mass.)

  • Type of device (e.g. iPad, desktop)

  • Mobile device crash information

  • Locale and language of device and whether it has fingerprint/face sensors

  • Dates and times Visitor accessed and used the Website, features Visitor used in the Website, and how long Visitor used the Website overall

  • Links Visitor click and pages Visitor view within the Website

  • Pages Visitor view before and after Visitor leave the Website

The Information collected from Visitors on the Websites may be shared with West Clinical Research suppliers and vendors and used in the aggregate to create summary statistics that help West Clinical Research analyze the Websites' usage trends, assess what information is of most and least importance, determine technical design specifications, arrange the Websites in the most user-friendly way, and identify system performance or problem areas. Consumer information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

By continuing to use the Websites, Visitors hereby consent to the use and disclosure of Visitor’s Information as set forth below:

  • Within West Clinical Research or with West Clinical Research service providers such as a cloud service provider for data storage;

  • With West Clinical Research financial, insurance, legal, accounting or other advisors that provide professional services to West Clinical Research;

  • To respond to a subpoena, order, legal process, or government request;

  • To protect, establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims;

  • To investigate, detect, suppress, prevent or take action regarding illegal or prohibited activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the reputation or physical safety of any person;

  • If West Clinical Research is to be sold, merged, or amalgamated or substantially all of West Clinical Research assets are to be sold or disposed of, Visitor personal information may be transferred to a potential purchaser if, and to the extent necessary, it is required for the purposes of deciding whether to proceed with the proposed transaction and completing it. If such a sale, merger, acquisition, or disposal is completed, West Clinical Research will use reasonable efforts to direct the transferee to use personal information Visitor have provided to West Clinical Research in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy. Following such a sale or transfer, Visitor may contact the entity to which West Clinical Research transferred Visitor personal information with any inquiries concerning the processing of that information; or as otherwise required by law.

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VI. Cookies

West Clinical Research uses "cookies" to help Visitors better navigate the Websites. A "cookie" is a small piece of information sent by West Clinical Research Health's web-based applications that are stored by Visitor’s web browser on Visitor’s computer's hard drive.

VII. Visitor Rights Regarding Personal Information

7.1 Amendment. 

Visitors have a right to request that West Clinical Research amend or delete the Personal Information it collects from your use of the Websites if Visitor believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and Visitor may request an amendment or deletion for as long as the Personal Information is retained by West Clinical Research. Visitor must submit Visitor request in writing to West Clinical Research and provide a reason to support the requested amendment. West Clinical Research may, under certain circumstances, deny Visitor request by sending Visitor a written notice of denial.

7.2 Withdrawal of Consent. 

Subject to applicable law, Visitor may withdraw Visitor’s consent to uses and disclosures of Personal Information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. Visitor must submit Visitor’s request in writing to West Clinical Research. Withdrawing consent does not invalidate consent to any collection, use or disclosure of Personal Information to which Visitor consented before consent was withdrawn. If Visitor withdraw consent, or refuse further consent, West Clinical Research's ability to offer services to Visitor may be limited.

 

VIII. Contact and Notice

West Clinical Research may be contacted or sent notices regarding this Policy by submission to the West Clinical Research Privacy Officer by mail or electronic means as follows:

West Clinical Research, Inc

Tel: (252) 515-0050

info@westclinicalresearch.com

Notice of Privacy Practices

This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

Please review it carefully.

 

Summary:

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request a copy of your paper or electronic medical record

• Request a correction to your paper or electronic medical record

• Request confidential communications

• Ask us to limit the information we share

• Get a list of certain disclosures we have made of your information

• Get a copy of this privacy notice

• Choose someone to act for you, in accordance with certain legal requirements

• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

Your Choices

You have some choices in the way that we use and share information as we:

• Tell family and friends about your condition

• Include you in a hospital directory

• Raise funds & Marketing Purposes

Our Uses and Disclosures

We may use and share your information as we:

• Treat you

• Run our organization

• Bill for your services

• Help with public health and safety issues

• Do research

• Comply with the law

• Respond to organ and tissue donation requests

• Work with a medical examiner or funeral director

• Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests

• Respond to lawsuits and legal actions

• Assist in a disaster relief effort

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities.

Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record

  • You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and certain other health information we have about you. We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

  • For your convenience, we recommend that you use our patient portal to see your health information. Ask us how to do this.

Ask us to correct your medical record

  • You can ask us to correct information about you in your medical record that you think is incorrect or incomplete by writing to the Privacy Officer at the end of this notice.

  • We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.

Request confidential communications

  • You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say ‘yes” to all reasonable requests.

Ask us to limit what we use or share

  • You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.

  • If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.

Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information

  • You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times and with whom we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask We are not required to include disclosures for treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.

Get a copy of this Privacy Notice

  • You can ask for a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

Choose someone to act for you

  • If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.

  • We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.

File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated

  • You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting the Privacy Officer where the violation occurred.

  • You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/

  • We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

 

Your Choices

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will try to accommodate your requests where we can.

In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us whether to:

  • Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care

  • Include your information in a hospital directory

If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.

In these cases, we never share your information unless you give us written permission:

  • Certain marketing purposes

  • Most sharing of psychotherapy notes

In the case of marketing:

  • We may contact you for marketing efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.

Health information exchange:

  • We may also participate in certain health information exchanges that share health information electronically with other healthcare providers, as permitted by North Carolina and federal law.

Our Uses and Disclosures

How do we typically use or share your health information?

We typically use or share your health information in the following way.

Treat you

We can use your health information to treat you and share it with other professionals who are treating you.

Run our organization

We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary.

Bill for your services

We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.

How else can we use or share your health information?

We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways- usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes.

For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/ understanding/consumers/index.html.

Help with public health and safety issues

We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:

• Preventing disease

• Helping with product recalls

• Reporting adverse reactions to medications

• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence

• Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety

Do research

We can use or share your information for health research.

Comply with the law

We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.

Respond to organ and tissue donation requests

We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations for organ, eye or tissue donation or transplantation.

Work with a medical examiner or funeral director

We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.

Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests

We can use or share health information about you:

  • For workers’ compensation claims

  • For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official

  • With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law

  • For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services

Respond to lawsuits and legal actions

We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order or in response to a subpoena if certain requirements are met.

Our Responsibilities

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

  • We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.

  • We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.

  • We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.

For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.

Changes to the Terms of this Notice

We can change the terms of this Notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.

Other Instructions for Notice

In addition to the Federal rules regarding privacy, we will follow New York State laws regarding health care privacy. We will obtain appropriate consents before we share information concerning your genetic information, HIV status, substance abuse and certain mental health information. We also will obtain your consent for other uses and disclosures of your health information when required by North Carolina law to do so.

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