Patient Confidentiality
All patients admitted to University of Iowa Hospitals and
Clinics are informed of "The Guiding Principles of Patient Care." One
of these principles, which direct the behavior of persons working at
the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, is particularly
applicable to your job. "We will protect your individual privacy and
give assurance that all communications and records regarding your
care will be kept confidential.' The performance of your job may
require retrieval of information from patient medical records and/or
computer-stored patient information. Under no circumstances should
this information be discussed with anyone unless this disclosure is
required in the performance of your duties and responsibilities. Once
confidential information has been retrieved in the performance of
your duties, it then becomes your responsibility to properly
"dispose" of this document by distributing to appropriate people,
filing securely, or otherwise destroying the document. HOSPITAL
POLICY PROHIBITS RETRIEVAL OF MEDICAL RECORDS OR CRT INFORMATION THAT
IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR JOB. State law protects
the confidentiality of information about patients that you obtain in
the course of volunteering. State law prohibits you from making any
disclosure of the information unless you are specifically authorized
to do so under the policies of your department.
General Guidelines
We appreciate your interest in making a visit to pediatric
patients at University of Iowa Children's Hospital at University of Iowa
Hospitals and Clinics.
Because we are committed to a superior
experience for children, families, staff members, and visitors alike,
we have developed the following guidelines. Please review them
carefully with members of your group, and don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.
If for any reason you need to cancel, please do so as
soon as possible, by calling 319-384-5495.
Any person in the group with symptoms of illness, such as sore
throat cough, runny nose, or fever, or recently exposed to infectious
diseases, should not attend. Group leaders will be responsible for
screening members prior to the visit. For our part, we will take
precautions to protect visitors from exposure to contagious or
infectious patients.
We ask that ALL members of your group be at least 14 years of age
and that a supervisor, advisor, or leader accompanies teens. The total
size of your group must be limited to six people. Remember that large
groups can be overwhelming to children. Also, help us to maintain a
quiet environment by avoiding unnecessary noise.
The Child Life staff would like our Special Visitors to convey a professional image, please read through our Professional Appearance Policy (Internal access only), and dress accordingly the day of your visit. You may also want to consider wearing name tags. This will enable our staff to remember
everyone's name at a glance and make your visit more personal.
To locate Pediatrics, ask at the Information Desk to be directed to Elevator G. Go to the third floor, take a left into the hallway and procede to the nursing desk. The playroom is to the right of the nursing desk. Wait in the playroom for a child life staff member to greet you.
As a nonsectarian agency, we must avoid religious interaction, which might be different from the beliefs of some families represented here.
Very young children are frequently suspicious of strangers. This is natural fear, which may be heightened in an environment that is not home. Approach children slowly, especially if any in your group are costumed. If children move confidently toward you, this indicates they are ready to interact. We ask that, when planning the content of your program, you keep subject material non-threatening to our young patients. Please avoid reference to medical procedures, violence, death, monsters, masks, etc. that may frighten children.
Please do not pick up any child. It may be frightening to be picked up by a stranger or there may be medical reasons why a child should not be picked up.
Please do not ask information about the diagnosis or condition of any child. This is confidential information and must be respected at all times, just as you would rightfully expect this agency to preserve your own child's or families right to privacy.
Discuss with your group prior to the visit medical situations they may encounter to increase their comfort level. Tubes, machinery, and other medical equipment are part of the hospital environment. Patients may appear shy or look "different" (i.e., no hair due to chemotherapy treatment). Please be cautious in determining each child's gender. Children are sensitive on this issue. Please feel free to interact with the patients. They enjoy actively participating in the program.
No photographs of a patient should be taken without first asking the families permission. If photos are to be used for publication, using the child's name or any information about the child and family, a photographic release form must first be obtained by a UI Hospitals and Clinics employee.
Children may not always show their appreciation and enjoyment directly. If you receive smiles, laughs, and direct thank-yous from the children, we will be pleased. Remember, however, that the children who make no immediate response have been cheered and encouraged by your visit.
If you are interested in donating items to patients, please check with Child Life staff first to ensure that the items are developmentally appropriate. A Child Life Specialist will distribute gifts. Please note we are only able to distribute new stuffed animals, as fabric may harbor germs in used items.
Some of our patients are on restricted diets, so it is important to regulate their food intake. For this reason, we restrict refreshments brought in from outside groups. If your group wishes to give something to the patients, little token gifts are a nice substitute. May we suggest small items such as coloring books, pads of paper, crayons or markers, stickers, and playing cards? Again, keep in mind the various age groups of our patients (infants to adolescents).
Mylar balloons are the only type that can be given to pediatric patients. Hospital policy prohibits the distribution of latex balloons, due to concerns over possible allergic reactions and choking.
Groups and individuals visiting the University of Iowa Children's Hospital assume all responsibility for any personal belongings, equipment, etc. brought onto hospital property. The hospital is not liable for loss or damage to personal property.
We realize many of our guidelines may be "restrictive." Yet, it is our primary objective to provide an enjoyable, but safe visit with our patients. Hospitalized children and their families are most appreciative of a special event. The Child Life staff is grateful for the community's involvement, and we thank you for your thoughtfulness and interest in our program.
Volunteer Agreement
These general guidelines will help you prepare for
your visit. Please complete the form and return to:
Rehabilitation Therapies, Child Life Program, University of Iowa
Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, 0733 JPP, Iowa City, IA
52242, at least one week prior to the date of the activity. If you have questions, please call 356-1616.
Group Name: _________________________________________
Contact Person: _______________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________________
Declarations and volunteer agreement
By my signature, I declare that I have read and understood the
above aspects of patient confidentiality and guidelines. I understand
that violation of the confidentiality of patient information is
reason for disciplinary action including possible liability to civil
and criminal penalties.
Signature
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
|
Our Focus