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Patient Resources and Information

Patient Rights

Patient Rights - English                             Patient Rights - Spanish

Patient Privacy

Privacy Statement
 

Near North Health Service Corporation (doing business as Near North Health, or NNH) is committed to treating and using your protected health information responsibly. This Notice of Health Information Practices describes the personal health information that we collect and how/when we use or disclose this information. It also describes your rights as they relate to your protected health information. This notice is effective April 14, 2003 and applies to all protected health information as defined by federal regulations.

 

Understanding Your Health Record/Information

Each time you visit one of NNH's health centers a record of your visit is made. Typically, this record contains your symptoms, examination and test results, diagnoses, treatment and a plan for future care or management. This information often referred to as your health or medical record is a:

 

  • basis for Planning you Care and Treatment

  • means of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to your care

  • legal document describing the care you receive

  • means by which you or a third-party can verify that services billed were actually provided

  • tool in educating health professionals

  • source of data for medical research

  • source of information for public health officials charged with improving the health of this state and nation

  • source of data for our planning and marketing

  • tool with which we can assess and work to improve the care rendered and outcomes achieved

 

Understanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to ensure its accuracy; better understand who, what, when, where and why others may access your health information; and, make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others.

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Your Health Information Rights

 

Although your health record is the physical property of NNH, the information contained in the record belongs to you. You have the right to:

 

 

  • Maintain the privacy of your health information,

  • Provide you with this notice as to your legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect and maintain about you

  • Abide by the terms of this notice

  • Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction

  • Accommodate reasonable requests that you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.

     Patient Care and Planning Resources

Participate in your care at Near North. You are an important part of the team!

NNH patients have the right to select their primary care clinician, and may change their assigned primary clinician upon request. Patients are an active member of the care team are expected to be involved in their care. This includes being involved with the creation of treatment plans. We need your to help us take care of you!

 

If you are referred to an outside organization or specialist, the referral is managed by a team of referral coordinators who assist you to get an appointment and to verify insurance.

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Your primary care clinician leads your care team and is responsible for coordinating your care with other specialists and outside institutions. If you are receiving care outside of Near North Health it is your responsibility to inform your primary care clinician. This is one way you can help us care for you. There are several ways to communicate with your care team. You may reach them after hours by calling the health center number. The provider who is on-call will get back to you to address your issue. During regular hours, you may call or use the patient portal to send a message to your provider. 

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You have many responsibilities as part of the care team. Tell your provider:

  •          About your allergies

  •          About any hospitalizations

  •          Your health and surgical history; this includes mental health

  •          Current medications

  •          Pain

  •          And anything else!

Advance Directive Planning

Your Patient-Centered
Medical Home 

              Patient Safety and Care

All patients may pursue any questions, concerns, conflicts, or formal complaints regarding their rights or the quality of care and service provided by Near North Health. Patients may file a complaint with any staff member, including the Director of Nursing and Department Head/Manager.

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Patients should include the following information with filing a complaint:

  • Name of Patient

  • Address/Telephone Number

  • Explanation of Complaint

  • Date & Time of Complaint

 

The Director of Nursing will investigate the complaint and provide a response on the solution of the specific complaint to the complainant within ten days. A complaint is considered resolved when the patient is satisfied with the actions taken on his/her behalf, or NNH has taken appropriate and reasonable actions and the clinic considers the complaint closed.

 

If you feel that your concerns were not resolved, you may contact the Joint Commission:  

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  • At www.jointcommission.org, using the "Report a Patient Safety Event" link in the "Action Center" on the home page of the website

  • By fax to 630.792.5636

  • By mail to The Office of Quality and Patient Safety (OQPS), The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181

 

Near North Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory care organizations. The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

 

If you have concerns about patient care or safety, you may contact Near North Health at 312-337-1073.

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