Patient Privacy

Privacy of Patient Information

Privacy is an integral part of Hartford Hospital’s mission to promote, restore, and maintain the health of the people we serve.

We believe you have a right to expect that we keep information about you confidential. Furthermore, we are committed to complying with State and Federal law (HIPAA) concerning the privacy of your information.


Hartford Hospital’s Responsibilities

The Hospital receives and generates information about you. This is called “Protected Health Information (PHI)”. We must inform you on the ways in which your PHI will be use and/or disclosed in the Notice of Privacy Practices.

The following summarizes your rights contained in the Notice.

You have the right to...

  • Receive the Notice of Hartford Hospital’s Privacy Practices;
  • Request a restriction of the use and/or disclosure of your PHI;
  • Opt out of our facility directory thereby requiring us to not acknowledge that you are here at Hartford Hospital to anyone in the public who may ask for you;
  • Access your PHI
  • Request an amendment to your PHI;
  • Complain if your feel your privacy rights have been violated.

The Hospital is required to notify you if we cannot abide by a requested restriction on how your information is used or disclosed. (See full details in our Notice of Privacy Practices)


Patient Privacy Frequently Ask Questions

Q: What is the “facility directory”?
A: The facility directory is the hospitals mechanism for keeping track of your locations while you are in the hospital.

Q: Who uses the facility directory and why?
A: The facility directory is used by staff throughout the hospital when: a caller or visitor to the hospital wants to know your location (unit, room number, telephone number), if a member of the clergy is trying to locate you, or by health care professionals who may be assigned to your care.

Q: What happens if I choose not to be included in the facility directory?
A: Your location (unit, room number, telephone number) even your presence within the hospital would not be given out to anyone that called or inquired about you including any member of the clergy. Also, no mail or flowers would be delivered to you.

Q: How do I choose to restrict release/disclosure of my PHI?
A: Upon admission, you determine what information if any is communicated and to whom it is given. For example, you may decide that no information is communicated to anyone, or perhaps you want to designate one person only to know about your care. You may also dictate how and where the hospital sends you written information including follow-up appointments.

Q: Who do I contact if I have further questions or concerns about my PHI?
A: You should contact a Patient Advocate through the Patient Advocacy office at 860.972.1100 or extension 21100 (from any hospital phone).

Hartford HealthCare Compliance Line