Risk of Using Email

Drs. Alderfer & Travis offer patients the opportunity to communicate by e-mail. Transmitting patient information by e-mail, however, has a number of risks the patient should consider before using e-mail. These include, but are not limited to the following risks:

1. E-mail can be circulated, forwarded, and stored in numerous paper and electronic files.

2. E-mail can be immediately broadcast worldwide and be received by many intended and unintended recipients.

3. E-mail senders can easily misaddress e-mail.

4. E-mail is easier to falsify than handwritten or signed documents.

5. Backup copies of e-mail may exist even after the sender or the recipient has deleted his or her copy.

6. Employers and on-line services have a right to archive and inspect e-mails transmitted through their systems without authorization or detection.

7. E-mail can be intercepted, altered, forwarded, or used without authorization or detection.

8. E-mail can be used to introduce viruses into computer systems.

9. E-mail can be used as evidence in court.

Because of the risks of e-mail communication, we will require you to sign an e-mail consent form provided by our office to insure you understand the risks associated with the communication of e-mail between provider and you. No laboratory, cardiac test results, or prescription renewals will be given via e-mail until the consent is signed. Feel free to print out a copy by clicking here or stop by our office to pick up the consent or call our office and we can fax a copy to you for your signature. If you have any questions regarding this request please feel free to contact Deborah Meyers, RN.