Privacy Policy - Patient Data Protection

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: January 1, 2025

At Lenus Hospital, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ personal and medical information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect patient data in accordance with Indian healthcare regulations, medical ethics standards, and applicable data protection laws.

1. Commitment to Patient Confidentiality

As a healthcare institution, Lenus Hospital strictly adheres to:

  • Medical Council of India (MCI) Guidelines on patient confidentiality
  • Indian Medical Association (IMA) Code of Medical Ethics
  • Clinical Establishments Act regulations
  • Information Technology Act, 2000 and associated rules
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (when applicable)

2. Types of Medical Information We Collect

Personal Information

  • Name, age, gender, address, and contact details
  • Emergency contact information
  • Government-issued identification details (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
  • Insurance information and policy details

Medical Information

  • Medical History: Past illnesses, surgeries, allergies, and family medical history
  • Clinical Data: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment plans, and progress notes
  • Diagnostic Reports: Laboratory results, X-rays, CT scans, MRI reports, and other imaging studies
  • Prescription Records: Medications prescribed, dosages, and treatment protocols
  • Surgical Records: Operative notes, anesthesia records, and post-operative care details
  • Vital Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and other health metrics

Treatment Documentation

  • Doctor’s consultation notes and observations
  • Nursing care records and monitoring charts
  • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation progress reports
  • Discharge summaries and follow-up instructions

3. How We Use Patient Information

Primary Healthcare Purposes

  • Patient Care: Providing medical treatment, diagnosis, and ongoing healthcare services
  • Care Coordination: Sharing information among healthcare team members involved in patient care
  • Medical Records: Maintaining comprehensive medical records for continuity of care
  • Emergency Treatment: Accessing critical medical information during medical emergencies

Administrative Purposes

  • Appointment Scheduling: Managing patient appointments and follow-up visits
  • Billing and Insurance: Processing insurance claims and managing payment records
  • Hospital Administration: Managing patient registration and hospital operations
  • Quality Improvement: Analyzing treatment outcomes and improving healthcare services
  • Medical Audits: Compliance with healthcare regulatory requirements
  • Legal Requirements: Responding to court orders or legal investigations when mandated
  • Public Health Reporting: Reporting communicable diseases as required by health authorities
  • Accreditation: Meeting healthcare accreditation and quality standards

4. Medical Data Sharing and Disclosure

Authorized Healthcare Personnel

Medical information is shared only with:

  • Treating Physicians: Primary doctors and specialists involved in patient care
  • Nursing Staff: Healthcare professionals directly involved in patient care
  • Support Staff: Laboratory technicians, radiologists, and pharmacy staff as needed for treatment
  • Consultants: Specialist doctors consulted for patient care with patient consent

Third-Party Disclosure

We may share patient information with:

  • Insurance Companies: For claim processing and pre-authorization (with patient consent)
  • Referring Physicians: When patients are referred to or from other healthcare providers
  • Family Members: As authorized by the patient or in medical emergency situations
  • Laboratory Partners: For diagnostic testing and report generation

Information may be disclosed when:

  • Court Orders: Legally mandated disclosure by judicial authorities
  • Public Health Requirements: Reporting infectious diseases to health departments
  • Medical Legal Cases: Providing medical records for legal proceedings with proper authorization
  • Government Agencies: When required by healthcare regulatory authorities

Right to Medical Records

Patients have the right to:

  • Access: Review and obtain copies of their medical records
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate medical information
  • Explanation: Receive explanation of medical terms and treatment procedures
  • Copies: Obtain medical reports and diagnostic results
  • Treatment Consent: Patients provide informed consent before medical procedures
  • Data Sharing: Explicit consent for sharing information with third parties
  • Photography/Recording: Separate consent for medical photography or procedure recording
  • Research Participation: Optional consent for participation in medical research or case studies

Right to Privacy

  • Confidential Consultations: Private discussions with healthcare providers
  • Secure Storage: Safe storage of medical records and personal information
  • Limited Access: Restriction of information access to authorized personnel only
  • Anonymity: Option for anonymous treatment in sensitive medical cases

6. Data Security and Protection Measures

Physical Security

  • Secure Storage: Medical records stored in locked, secure filing systems
  • Restricted Access: Limited access to medical record storage areas
  • CCTV Monitoring: Security cameras in sensitive areas of the hospital
  • Access Controls: Key card systems and authorized personnel identification

Digital Security

  • Encrypted Storage: Electronic medical records protected with encryption
  • Secure Networks: Protected hospital IT networks and systems
  • Regular Backups: Secure backup of digital medical records
  • Antivirus Protection: Computer systems protected against malware and viruses
  • Access Logs: Monitoring and logging of digital record access

Staff Training and Protocols

  • Confidentiality Training: Regular training on patient privacy and data protection
  • Ethical Guidelines: Staff adherence to medical ethics and confidentiality standards
  • Password Policies: Strong password requirements for system access
  • Incident Reporting: Protocols for reporting privacy breaches or security incidents

7. Retention of Medical Records

Record Retention Periods

  • Adult Medical Records: Maintained for minimum 10 years after last treatment
  • Pediatric Records: Retained until patient reaches age 25 or 10 years after last treatment, whichever is longer
  • Surgical Records: Permanent retention for major surgical procedures
  • Diagnostic Images: Retained according to medical necessity and legal requirements

Record Disposal

  • Secure Destruction: Medical records destroyed securely after retention period
  • Certificate of Destruction: Documentation of proper record disposal
  • Environmental Compliance: Eco-friendly disposal methods for paper and electronic records

8. Website and Digital Privacy

Online Information Collection

  • Website Cookies: Use of cookies for website functionality and analytics
  • Contact Forms: Information collected through online appointment requests
  • Email Communications: Secure email systems for patient communication
  • Telemedicine: Privacy protection during online consultations

Digital Communication

  • Secure Portals: Patient portals for secure access to medical information
  • SMS/Email Notifications: Opt-in communications for appointment reminders
  • Social Media: No sharing of patient information on social media platforms

9. Special Protections

Sensitive Medical Information

Enhanced protection for:

  • Mental Health Records: Psychiatric and psychological treatment records
  • HIV/AIDS Information: Special confidentiality for infectious disease treatment
  • Reproductive Health: Enhanced privacy for gynecological and obstetric care
  • Substance Abuse Treatment: Special protections for addiction treatment records

Minor Patients

  • Parental Consent: Parent/guardian consent for treatment of minors
  • Age-Appropriate Privacy: Balancing minor’s privacy with parental rights
  • Confidential Services: Age-appropriate confidential healthcare services

10. Breach Notification and Incident Response

Data Breach Protocol

In case of any privacy breach:

  • Immediate Assessment: Rapid evaluation of the extent and impact of breach
  • Patient Notification: Prompt notification to affected patients
  • Regulatory Reporting: Reporting to relevant healthcare authorities
  • Corrective Measures: Implementation of measures to prevent future breaches
  • Documentation: Proper documentation of incident and response actions

11. Patient Complaints and Grievances

Privacy Complaints

Patients may file complaints regarding:

  • Unauthorized Disclosure: Inappropriate sharing of medical information
  • Access Denial: Difficulty obtaining medical records
  • Data Inaccuracy: Errors in medical records or personal information

Grievance Process

  • Complaint Registration: Formal process for filing privacy-related complaints
  • Investigation: Thorough investigation of privacy concerns
  • Resolution: Timely resolution and corrective actions
  • Appeal Process: Right to appeal grievance decisions

12. Updates to Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect:

  • Changes in healthcare regulations and laws
  • Updates to hospital policies and procedures
  • Technological advances in medical record management
  • Patient feedback and privacy enhancement measures

Notification of Changes: Patients will be notified of significant policy changes through hospital communications and website updates.

13. Contact Information for Privacy Concerns

For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding patient privacy:

Lenus Hospital Privacy Officer

  • Address: 136, Sector 13, Indira Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226016
  • Phone: +91 7565949412
  • Email: lenushospitallko@gmail.com
  • In-Person: Visit our Patient Relations Office during hospital hours

Hospital Administration:

  • Chief Medical Officer: Available for serious privacy concerns
  • Patient Relations Manager: First point of contact for privacy issues
  • Medical Records Department: For medical record access and correction requests

Lenus Hospital operates under:

  • Medical Council of India (MCI) professional ethics guidelines
  • Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act
  • Indian Medical Association (IMA) code of ethics
  • Information Technology Act, 2000 and Privacy Rules
  • Consumer Protection Act for patient rights
  • State Healthcare Regulations of Uttar Pradesh

By seeking treatment at Lenus Hospital, patients acknowledge:

  • Understanding of this Privacy Policy
  • Consent to the collection and use of medical information as described
  • Agreement to necessary sharing of information for healthcare purposes
  • Right to withdraw consent for non-essential uses of information

For clarification of any privacy-related questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our healthcare team or administration staff.

This Privacy Policy demonstrates our commitment to protecting patient confidentiality while providing quality healthcare services. We continuously review and enhance our privacy practices to ensure the highest standards of patient data protection.