Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal health information. As part of our efforts to improve communication and enhance the patient experience, we are offering the option to receive certain communications via email or text message.
To enable this, SAH is seeking your consent to collect and use your email address and/or cell phone number for specific purposes such as appointment reminders, patient experience surveys, appointment forms and information and health records information. These communication tools can provide timely, convenient updates while supporting a more connected healthcare experience.
Please review the information below carefully, including the types of messages you may receive, your responsibilities as a recipient, and the potential risks associated with electronic communication. Completion and submission of the consent form confirms your understanding and agreement to participate in this communication option.
Patient Consent to Communicate Using Email and Text
SAH is requesting your consent to collect your email address and/or cell phone number to communicate with you for the following specific and limited purposes:
- Patient experience survey(s);
- Appointment reminders;
- Blank pre-appointment information, e.g. pre-op questionnaire (filled in or completed documents cannot be sent or received);
- Information on how to access Health Records; and
- Information and links to remote appointments (e.g. WebEx).
Email and text messaging communication are not to be considered an open channels of communication. SAH will not monitor email or text messages received by patients.
Associated Risks
There are associated risks when communicating through email or text messaging. SAH is informing you of these risks and cannot be held responsible should such a risk occur:
- Anyone with access to your email or cell phone, including cloud-based environments;
- Information sent to an incorrect email or cell phone as a result of incorrect information provided to SAH;
- Information sent by SAH but not received by the patient or missed by the patient (e.g. “Junk Mail”)
You are responsible for ensuring your email has encryption enabled at all times. SAH emails will not be received without encryption enabled.
With reasonable notice, you have the opportunity to withdraw consent for email or text messaging communication. For questions regarding patient privacy or to withdraw this consent, please contact the SAH’s Privacy Office.