Sturgis Hospital - A Top 100 Hospital

Privacy Policy

Sturgis Hospital Privacy Policy: At Sturgis Hospital, we are committed to protecting your health and privacy. Information that Sturgis Hospital collects on this Web site will not be sold or given to a third party (other than a Sturgis Hospital agent) and will be accessible only by Sturgis Hospital and its owner, the City of Sturgis, and their affiliates and agents.

Links to Other Sites: The Sturgis Hospital Web site contains links to other sites for your convenience. Although we try to link only to sites that share our high standards and respect for privacy, we cannot guarantee or be held responsible for their content or privacy practices.

Inappropriate Behavior: Sturgis Hospital expects the use of its sites to be within certain acceptable community standards. Therefore, users are prohibited from posting or transmitting any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, inflammatory, pornographic or profane material or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or would otherwise violate the law. Sturgis Hospital will fully cooperate with any law enforcement authorities or court order requesting or directing Sturgis Hospital to disclose the identity of anyone posting any such inappropriate information or materials.

Web Site Alterations: Sturgis Hospital reserves the right to alter or delete material from its site at any time without warning.

Disclaimer: The information in this server is provided as a courtesy by Sturgis Hospital and its Affiliates. Sturgis Hospital expressly disclaims any representation or warranty, express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose of the information. Persons accessing this information assume full responsibility for the use of the information and understand and agree that Sturgis Hospital is not responsible or liable for any claim, loss or damage arising from the use of the information. Reference to specific products, processes, or services does not constitute or imply recommendation or endorsement by Sturgis Hospital. The views and opinions of the document authors do not necessarily state or reflect those of Sturgis Hospital.

The information published on this server could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information in this server. Because the terms and conditions set forth on this page may change periodically, you are expected to log onto this page and review it regularly to make sure its terms and conditions are acceptable to you.

Sturgis Hospital does not take responsibility for any Internet/computer viruses contracted through this site and does not warrant or represent that this site is free of viruses.

If any conflict arises between you and Sturgis Hospital with respect to your use of this website, you agree that any resulting lawsuit shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan and jurisdiction shall rest solely in the State of Michigan. Venue shall rest solely in St. Joseph County, Michigan.

If the information you're reviewing is of a medical or clinical nature, please read this medical disclaimer.

Medical Disclaimer: Medicine is an ever-changing science. As new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug therapy are required. The authors have checked with sources believed to be reliable in their efforts to provide information that is complete and generally in accord with the standards accepted at the time of publication. However, in view of the possibility of human error or changes in medical sciences, neither the authors nor Sturgis Hospital nor any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is accurate or complete, and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. All information is provided "as is" with no representations or warranties whatsoever, express or implied. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources. The information contained on this site or any links on this site is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as recommending a specific treatment plan, product, course of action or medical/healthcare provider.

Always: Check with a physician or health professional if you suspect you are ill.
Do not rely on the contents of this site or any of its links if you suspect you are ill.

Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2002
Sturgis Hospital
916 Myrtle Avenue
Sturgis, Michigan 490915 USA

All rights reserved. Sturgis Hospital owns the copyright or holds electronic publishing rights for all documents and related graphics (our Materials) available from this World Wide Web server (the Server). Permission to display, cache and print one copy of our Materials is hereby granted. Other than as expressly permitted, no part of our Materials may be copied, reproduced, used, performed, distributed or redistributed in any form (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems) for any purpose without the express written permission of Sturgis Hospital. For permission to use, copy or distribute documents or related graphics other than as set forth above, please contact the General Counsel for Sturgis Hospital at the address given above.

CLICK HERE for the Spanish version of our Privacy Policy

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU MAY GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Sturgis Hospital, any Identified Healthcare Partners, all departments and units, any member of our hospital auxiliary group, all associates, and other Hospital personnel are dedicated to protecting your medical information. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information and to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information. Sturgis Hospital is required by law to abide by the terms of this Notice, and we reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice, making any revision applicable to all the protected health information we maintain. If Sturgis Hospital revises the terms of this Notice, it will post a revised notice at the Hospital and will make paper copies of this Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information available upon request.

HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION WILL BE USED AND DISCLOSED: Sturgis Hospital will use your medical information as part of rendering patient care. For example, your medical information may be used by the health care professional treating you, by the business office to process your payment for the services rendered and by administrative personnel reviewing the quality and appropriateness of the care you receive.

Sturgis Hospital may also use and/or disclose your information in accordance with federal and state laws for the following purposes:

•	Sturgis Hospital may contact you to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
•	Sturgis Hospital via Arbor Associates may contact you for the purpose of quality assurance and/or customer satisfaction.
•	Sturgis Hospital may disclose medical information when required by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as part of an investigation or determination of the Hospital's compliance with relevant laws.
•	Unless you object, and with the exception of Behavior Health Patients, Sturgis Hospital will include general information, including your name, location in the hospital, and your condition described in general terms in a directory of individuals located in the Hospital. The directory information, will be released to people who ask for you by name.
•	Unless you object, and with the exception of Behavior Health Patients, Sturgis Hospital may disclose to family members, other relatives or close personal friends the medical information directly relevant to such person's involvement with your care.
•	Unless you object, and with the exception of Behavior Health Patients, Sturgis Hospital may use or disclose your medical information to notify a family member, a personal representative or another person responsible for your care of your location, general condition or death.
•	Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information to a public or private entity for the purpose of coordinating with that entity to assist in disaster relief efforts.
•	Sturgis Hospital may use or disclose your medical information for public health activities, including the reporting of disease, injury, vital events and the conduct of public health surveillance, investigation and/or intervention. Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information to a health oversight agency for oversight activities authorized by law, including audits, investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary actions, administrative and/or legal proceedings.
•	Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information in the course of certain judicial or administrative proceedings.
•	Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information for law enforcement purposes or other specialized governmental functions.
•	Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information to a coroner, medical examiner or a funeral director.
•	If you are an organ donor, Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information to an organ donation and procurement organization.
•	Sturgis Hospital may use or disclose your medical information for certain research purposes.
•	Sturgis Hospital may use or disclose your medical information to prevent or lessen a serious threat to the health or safety of another person or the public.
•	Sturgis Hospital may disclose your medical information as authorized by laws relating to workers' compensation or similar programs.

Sturgis Hospital will not use or disclose your medical information for any other purpose without your written authorization. Once given, you may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION:

You have the following rights with respect to your medical information:

•	The right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your medical information. Sturgis Hospital is not required to agree to your requested restriction.
•	The right to receive communications from Sturgis Hospital in a confidential manner.
•	The right to inspect and copy your medical information. This right is subject to certain specific exceptions, and you may be charged a reasonable fee for any copies of your records.
•	The right to request an amendment of your medical information. Sturgis Hospital may deny your request for certain specific reasons, and, if denied, the Hospital will provide you with a written explanation for the denial and information regarding further rights you would have at that point.
•	The right to receive an accounting of the disclosures of your medical information made by Sturgis Hospital except for disclosures for treatment, payment or Hospital operational purposes, and for certain other specific disclosure types.
•	The right to request a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information.
•	The right to complain to Sturgis Hospital and/or to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) if you believe that the Hospital has violated your privacy rights. To complain to Sturgis Hospital, please contact the Privacy Officer at (269) 659-4219. To complain to DHHS, call 1-877-696-6775 toll free. If you choose to file a complaint, you will not be retaliated against in any way.

If you would like further information regarding your rights or regarding the uses and disclosures of your medical information, you may contact the Health Information Management Manager.

THIS NOTICE IS EFFECTIVE AS OF 4/14/03.

Quality Health Care for You and Your Family!

At Sturgis Hospital, you will find qualified, caring health professionals. From the moment you enter, throughout your stay, and upon your discharge, you will be treated as our guest. As part of our Mission to provide "ever-improving quality health care" we believe in the philosophy of continuous quality improvement.