HIPAA Standards

Patient privacy is of utmost importance when posting video programs or making reference to patients in any comment, blog, or descriptions of any patient on this web site. It is therefore necessary that all video programs and written descriptions and comments are HIPAA compliant.

This means that all video programs as well as written text do not directly or indirectly identify patients in any manner. Tattoos, body marks, facial features, and names are all means of identifying patients. It should be a standard practice that written and signed patient consent is acquired before surgery, and that the consent specifically state the photographing agent’s intention for use and distribution, that the footage or photographs will be posted on the web. Video programs of facial procedures must have patient consent forms filed with the hospital or surgical facility. Video programs and photographs of children must always be obtained with the consent of both parents.

Surgeon Today, LLC advocates and is fully compliant with HIPAA standards for patient privacy. For detailed information on HIPAA standards, visit http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/index.html.

However, Surgeon Today, LLC does not act as a clearing house for signed consents to photograph, nor does Surgeon Today, LLC police the filing or acquisition of such consents, which is the sole responsibility of the surgeon, hospital, or institution in which the patient had the procedure. If any dispute arises from patient privacy issues, Surgeon Today, LLC will immediately stop any broadcast of such media. Surgeon Today, LLC is not responsible for any disregard, lapse of compliance, or noncompliance of HIPAA standards on the part of User Submissions, as stated in the Terms & Conditions of Membership to this site. It is the sole responsibility of every surgeon or individual posting programs to this site that HIPAA standards for patient privacy are met.