Notice of Privacy Practices

Links to other sites on the Internet are provided as a courtesy, and do not constitute an approval or endorsement of any kind. We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of personal information to provide you with the best possible service.

• Notice of Privacy Practice - English
• Notice of Privacy Practice - Spanish

Augusta University Medical Center 
All information provided to us (through appointment requests, etc.) is treated confidentially, and we do not share names or e-mail addresses with any groups outside our organization.

Online Appointment Request
Information that is sent to us through an Online Appointment Request (SSL technology) is secure. Information will be seen only by those involved in the appointment making process.

E-mail
Please note that messages sent by e-mail may not be secure. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you do not include any confidential information in an e-mail format. By doing so, you are accepting a risk that this material may be intercepted by a third party.

IP Addresses
The augustahealth.org website uses cookies and related technologies to provide anonymized analytics information. We do not store your IP address in any fashion. Your generalized (closest geographic city or town) location, browser, device characteristics, referring URLs, and information about how and when you use our website may be used in analytics reporting. We do not sell any website usage data to third parties. This information is primarily needed to maintain the security and operation of our website, and for our internal analytics and reporting purposes.

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Our commitment is in accordance with AU Health’s non-discrimination statement which provides access without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, marital status, citizenship, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and/or other legally protected classification.

Download a copy of the patient rights for:

• AU Health in English
• AU Health in Spanish
• CHOG in English
• CHOG in Spanish

As a patient, or when appropriate, the patient’s representative as allowed by law, you have the following rights:

Respect and Dignity

• To be treated with dignity and receive considerate care that is respectful of your personal beliefs and cultural and spiritual values;
• To have your family or support persons of your choice and your own physician notified of your admission to the hospital;
• To consent to receive guests of your choice, subject to any clinical restrictions, including a spouse, domestic partner (including same-sex domestic partners), family member or friend, and to withdraw or deny such consent at any time;
• To include or exclude any or all family members or support persons from participating in your care decisions;
• To the confidentiality of records about your care unless a disclosure is allowed by law;

Information

• To be informed of the nature of your illness and treatment options, including potential risks, benefits, alternatives, and outcomes in terms you can understand; 
• To know the names of your primary physician and other practitioners providing your care;
• To have any restrictions on communications discussed with you;
• To access your medical records within a reasonable time frame and have them explained unless restricted by law;
• To know that AUMC is a teaching institution that participates in research;
• To be informed and to give or withhold consent if our facility proposes to engage in or perform research associated with your care or treatment;
• To obtain a full explanation of the bills related to your health care services;

Participation

• To request and receive medically appropriate treatment and services within our Medical Center’s capacity and capabilities; 
• To be involved in decisions about your medical care and treatment plan, including the right to refuse treatment;  
• To participate in the development and implementation of your medical care and treatment plan;  
• To an interpreter as necessary to understand all pertinent communications;
• To formulate advance directives and have them followed;
• To pastoral counseling;

Safe Care

• To expect reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and to be informed of available and realistic patient care options when care at our facility is no longer appropriate;
• To impartial medical care without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, marital status, citizenship, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and/or other legally protected classification;
• To receive care in a safe environment while maintaining your personal privacy;
• To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment;
• To be free from any form of restraint or seclusion as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff;
• To access state and community protective services;
• To appropriate assessment and management of your symptoms, including pain;
• To express any concerns or grievances orally or in writing without fear of reprisal.

As a patient, or the patient’s representative as allowed by law, you and/or your designees have the responsibilities:

• To provide accurate information about your present illness and past medical history, including medications;
• To ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions;
• To participate as best you can in making decisions about your medical treatment and carry out the plan of care agreed upon by you and your caregivers;
• To be respectful and considerate of others; threats, verbal abuse, violence or harassment towards others will not be tolerated;
• To observe facility policies and procedures, including those on patient safety. 
• To respect facility property and the property of other patients and caregivers;
• To accept the financial obligations associated with your care and request financial assistance if needed;
• To be reasonable in requests for medical treatment and other services.  

Family Presence Policy

The purpose of this policy is to define and set expectations for family presence with families, guests, and partners in care. Our commitment is in accordance with AU Health’s non-discrimination statement which provides access without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, marital status, citizenship, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and/or other legally protected classification.

Gender Transition Guide

AU Health is committed to providing and maintaining a work environment free of harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation based on race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital or family status, veteran status, or genetic information. The transgender status of an individual is considered confidential and should only be disclosed on a need-to-know basis, and only with the consent of the individual. If you are the transitioning individual, you have the right to openly be who you are. This means that while still maintaining professional expectations, you may express your gender identity, characteristics or expression without fear of consequences. The Guide also provides information related to appearance standards, restroom/locker room access, name and gender changes, use of appropriate pronouns, leave benefits and medical care information, how to address concerns of co-workers and customers, and how to monitor for signs of resentment and hostility.

Patient Advocate Services/Complaints

If you feel you have been discriminated against, or have a complaint or feedback about your experiences as a patient, you can contact, Email: patientfeedback@augusta.edu Call: 706-721-6222

How to Obtain Your Medical Records

Our Health Information Management Services Department is the appropriate avenue for obtaining medical records. 

Paper Request:

AU Medical Center, Inc.
Health Information Management Services
1120 15th Street, BPM–120
Augusta, GA 30912-5400
706-721-2948

To inspect or obtain medical records for yourself, your child, or as the legal representative of a patient:
Download request form [PDF]

To request authorization to send medical records to another individual or entity:
Download authorization form [PDF]

Electronic Request:

AU Health now offers patients the ability to request a copy of their medical records online using a secure website run by our release of information partner, CIOX. Patients may request records:

• For themselves
• As a parent of a minor
• As a caregiver with patient power-of-attorney
• To be sent to someone else

Request Medical Records Online

Frequently asked questions:

Can I come to HIMS to get copies of my medical record?
Yes.  HIMS Release of Information Services can provide copies for most walk-in requests.

Where do I come to pick up my records and during what hours?
Medical Office Building Mezzanine: There is a service window just around the corner from the main elevators. The section is open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays).

How long will I have to wait?
This depends on the amount of information and how old the records are that you are requesting. For a recent visit standard document set, the wait should be less than 30 minutes.

What is the cost?
The cost is based on Georgia Law and is updated annually.  A fee schedule is available upon request.

What is included in the standard document set?

• Discharge summary
• Report of History and physical exam
• Consultation reports
• Operative notes
• Test results (lab, radiology, cardiology, etc)
• Clinic notes