VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER - PROVIDER LINK
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE

Valley Medical Center (VMC) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its patients’ medical records and other health information. VMC grants limited permission to non-VMC physicians and physician authorized representatives to access and use PROVIDER LINK, a website containing electronic medical records. Physicians and other health care providers granted permission to access and use PROVIDER LINK agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions of use:

1. I agree to use PROVIDER LINK solely to access the electronic medical records of patients for whom I am either: (a) the attending, consulting, covering or primary care physician of record, (b) an authorized representative of the attending, consulting, covering or primary care physician of record, or (c) an authorized reviewer (i.e. researcher) of the medical record. Physician authorized representatives and other authorized users shall only be entitled to access and use PROVIDER LINK while in the employ and under the direct supervision of the authorizing physician, or within the initial authorized scope of this system access. Such access and use is limited to authorized persons with a need to know, to the extent necessary, to perform their patient care related duties and/or as permitted by their authorized role. I agree to immediately inform VMC at providerlinkaccessrequest@valleymed.org or (425) 228-3440 ext 6200 when I or my staff has terminated employment with my organization so VMC may inactivate the access to protected health information.
2. I agree to access and use PROVIDER LINK solely through the use of an individual security code that will be assigned to me by VMC. I agree not to share my individual security code with any other individual or allow any other individual to use the website once I have accessed it. If I have reason to suspect the confidentiality and security of my individual security code may have been compromised, I agree to report this information to VMC administrator as soon as possible.
3. By using my individual security code to access and use PROVIDER LINK, I acknowledge that I have received instruction from my employer or respective entity on proper use and consequences of any misuse of a patient’s protected health information. I understand that I may not use or print material from PROVIDER LINK for any personal, public or commercial purpose, including distributing, selling, using, modifying, or transmitting information contained on PROVIDER LINK, without the prior express consent of VMC. I understand that I may not change or delete proprietary notices from material downloaded or printed from PROVIDER LINK. I understand that I may not post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, harmful, pornographic or profane material, any proprietary information belonging to others or any material that could be deemed as to encourage criminal activity, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate the law.
4. I understand that all results that are finalized with my individual security code will be treated as a written signature with all the ethical, business and legal implications, when and if applicable. I understand that PROVIDER LINK will maintain a log of all access to patient medical records. In addition, I understand that PROVIDER LINK will capture and retain my name, individual security code, electronic signature when and if applicable and any other pertinent information required by VMC, and VMC will conduct routine reviews of PROVIDER LINK user accounts.
5. I understand and agree that all medical information contained on PROVIDER LINK must be held in strict confidence and not accessed or disseminated for any purpose other than for the patient’s medical care and authorized insurance purposes, and that violation of this confidentiality may result in a violation of state and/or federal law and may subject me to disciplinary, criminal or civil action.  I will keep protected health information taken off-site fully secured and in my physical possession during transit, never leaving it unattended or in any mode of transport (even if the mode of transport is locked).  I will only take protected health information off-site if accessing it remotely is not a viable option.  I will only discuss protected health information in the workplace for job related reasons, and will not hold discussions where they can be overheard by people who neither have a need-to-know nor the authority to receive the information. I understand and will comply with application State of Washington laws for Disclosure of Medical Information by Providers, and Disclosure of Medical Information by Employers.
6. I understand that the health and health-related information contained on PROVIDER LINK should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Be aware that Valley Medical Center is a teaching institution and documentation authors include all levels of medical trainees, please refer to the attending note for final impression and care plan. While every effort is made to ensure the information contained on PROVIDER LINK is accurate, complete and timely, VMC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness. I acknowledge that the VMC patient records in PROVIDER LINK is incomplete, and acknowledge that VMC is a hybrid entity where health information may be found in various physician locations and systems, both electronic and paper form. I agree to assume total responsibility and risk for my use of this information. I also understand that some encounters, hospital visits and healthcare services may be confidential and will not be reflected in PROVIDER LINK; I agree to assume this risk and will confer with  my patients regarding any additional visits or services that may not be reflected in PROVIDER LINK.
   
   I also understand that VMC reserves the right to terminate a user’s access to PROVIDER LINK. I understand that the documentation of the patients in PROVIDER LINK is current as of July 1, 2012 for primary care patients, August 1, 2012 for specialty care patients, and September 1, 2012 for hospital patients.  If I need to review historical information prior to the aforementioned dates for my patients, I will contact Valley Medical Center’s Health Information Management Department at 425.690.3406.  
7. I understand that VMC reserves the right to terminate a user’s access to PROVIDER LINK due to any act that, in its sole discretion, constitutes a violation of these Terms and Conditions.  My access to PROVIDER LINK will be reviewed on a yearly basis by Valley Medical Center.
8. I understand that VMC may revise these Terms and Conditions at any time. I will periodically read these Terms and Conditions to see if any changes have been made that may affect me. My continued use of PROVIDER LINK indicates my continued agreement with these Terms and Conditions as they may be revised.
9. I understand that, VMC and its affiliates, suppliers, and other third parties mentioned or linked to on this website are neither responsible nor liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or other damages (including, without limitation, those resulting from lost profits, lost data, technical problems or business interruption) arising out of or relating in any way to PROVIDER LINK content or information contained within PROVIDER LINK, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or any other legal theory and whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages. My sole remedy for dissatisfaction with PROVIDER LINK is to stop using the website. These Terms and Conditions are governed by Washington law. If any version of the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act is enacted as part of the law of Washington, that statute shall not govern any aspect of these Terms and Conditions.

By checking the box below, I affirm that I agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use.  I affirm that I am the covered entity or business associate in relation to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and will assume liability for any breaches of information accessed via PROVIDER LINK.