Mercy Healthcare Bakersfield

Catholic Healthcare West CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ACCESS TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

CHW CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ('CHWCC') has installed various Information Systems allowing computerization of information. The utilization of these automated systems will communicate information to authorized users more efficiently and effectively, leading to quality improvement in patient care. In order to protect the information contained in the CHWCC databases and to prevent unauthorized use of all information, access to these Information Systems will be limited to those persons who are issued an access code by CHWCC. The issuance of an access code is subject to the following confidentiality agreement.

In consideration of the issuance of an access code to the Information Systems of CHWCC, I, the undersigned, agree to the following:

1. The access code issued to the undersigned is the equivalent of the undersigned's legal signature, and the undersigned agrees to be held accountable for any/all access to the Information, including any peripheral systems, i.e., handhelds, which is accomplished by means of this access code.

2. The Information Systems contain confidential data and any disclosure of this data or other information is subject to the CHW Central California Regional Confidentiality Policy (1.09R), Medical Record-Release Of Information Policy (5.31R) and Standards of Conduct (2.45) as set forth in the CHW Central California Regional Administrative Policy Manual, latest revised.

3. The undersigned will not disclose the access code to anyone nor allow its use by another person.

4. The undersigned will not attempt to learn another person's access code or access the Information by using any other access code other than the access code assigned to the undersigned.

5. The undersigned will not access the Information System to obtain any information or other data for whom the undersigned has no responsibility or for whom the undersigned has no "need to know" in keeping with the Confidentiality Policy (1.09R) and/or Standards of Conduct (2.45) as set forth in the CHWCC Administrative Policy Manual, latest revised.

6. If the undersigned has reason to believe that the confidentiality of the access code, or any other access code has been compromised, the undersigned will contact the Information Systems Support Desk (phone: 327-4647, extension 3888) to ensure that corrective action is taken.

The following points are to be followed, in order to comply with CHWCC license agreements with its software vendors:

 CHWCC will use all software in accordance with our license agreements.  Access to legitimate software will be provided to all users (or employees) who demonstrate a need for access as a requirement of their position.  CHWCC does not condone illegal copying of software under any circumstances. Any person illegally reproducing software can be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.  No employee of CHWCC or person granted access to CHWCC Information Systems shall make any unauthorized copies of any software under any circumstances. Anyone found copying software would be subject to disciplinary action and possible termination.  CHWCC will not tolerate the use of unauthorized copies of software in the company (i.e., programs from home, vendor's demos, another company’s software, etc.).  No employee or person granted access to CHWCC Information Systems shall give copies of licensed software to anyone not employed by CHWCC.  Any person who determines that there may be a possible misuse of software within CHWCC shall notify the Information Systems Support Desk immediately at 327-4647, EXTENSION 3888.  Because of system compatibility issues and software licensing policies, all software to be used on CHWCC's computer networks or systems must be approved AND acquired through the Information Systems Department.

Any violation of this Agreement or other misuse or abuse of any Information System and/or the undersigned's access code will be treated as a violation of the policies, procedures, practices and philosophy of CHWCC and may subject the undersigned to corrective actions, up to and including termination, in keeping with established personnel policies. In the case of a non CHWCC employee, any violation will result in revocation/removal of access to CHWCC Information Systems. "I have read and understand the above conditions, agreements and policies. I agree to abide by these conditions, agreements, and policies as set forth by CHW Central California."

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SIGNATURE______(DATE) H:\SECURITY\Confidentiality Statement CHWCC.doc REVISED 7/12/2000wv