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Yale New Haven Health is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your medical information. This Policy applies to ynhhs.org, bridgeporthospital.org, greenwichhospital.org, lmhospital.org, westerlyhospital.org, ynhh.org, northeastmedicalgroup.org and other online properties (e.g., microsites), applications, digital tools and social media platforms under YNHHS’ control.
This policy does not apply to (i) information collected from you either offline or through websites and other online services that do not display or link to YNHHS’ privacy policy, including third-party websites to which our online services may link, or (ii) information that would be considered “Protected Health Information” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Our use and disclosure of Protected Health Information is set forth in the Yale New Haven Health Notice of Privacy Practices.
The information and content on Yale New Haven Health and its affiliates (“YNHHS” or “we”) websites, applications, social media platforms and other digital tools (“Site” or “Sites”) are provided for your convenience and general educational information only, and are not intended as medical advice nor to replace the relationship you have with your healthcare professionals. This Privacy Policy does not apply to information collected from visitors who register and log-in to password-protected and secured portions of our sites. Information collected in this manner is considered Protected Health Information (“PHI”) and is governed by our “Notice of Privacy Practices”.
This Privacy Policy is not a contract and does not create any contractual rights or obligations.
Please review our Patient Rights if you are looking for information about your Patient Rights or the Notice of Privacy Practices.
While using our websites, you may provide us with certain information about you. For example, you may provide information when you: create an account or profile, fill out a form, register for an event, use interactive areas and features of the Sites, subscribe to a newsletter or email list, participate in a survey or events, pay a bill, make a donation, apply for a job, request customer or technical support, or otherwise communicate with us.
The types of information may include:
YNHHS collects data about users who navigate our Sites and other digital tools. This may include log information (e.g., IP address, operating system, browser type and language, referring URLs, access times, pages viewed), mobile device information (e.g., hardware model, operating system and version, information about your use of our Apps) and information collected through analytics, cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and other tracking technologies.
YNHHS may also collect information about you from other sources to help us correct or supplement our records, improve the quality or personalization of our services to you, and prevent or detect fraud.
YNHHS may use your information to:
YNHHS may be required to disclose personal data for legal purposes or investigations. We will not lease or sell your personal data to others but may disclose personal data with third parties contracted by YNHHS. These third parties only have access to personal data necessary for them to complete their services, for example, to send you an email.
We may also disclose your personal data:
We also may disclose deidentified information. Note that if you make any Personal Information publicly available on the Websites, anyone may see and use such information.
YNHHS Sites work with third-party products or services including Google, Facebook and others to track and analyze activity on our Sites, measure the effectiveness of our advertising, and support the optimization of our digital marketing campaigns.
Cookies: Unless you take steps to browse the Internet anonymously, or opt-out of cookie tracking, YNHHS and our service providers, like most institutions and organizations on the Internet, use cookies, tracking pixels and related technologies. Cookies are small text files placed on your computer or mobile device either for the duration of a website visit (i.e., “session” cookies) or until some later point in time set by the website (i.e., “persistent” cookies). You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser or device; however, doing so may prevent you from using the full functionality of all of our websites.
Pixels and Web Beacons: Our Sites and emails may contain a small electronic file known as a pixel or web beacon, which allow checking that a user has accessed content.
Google: YNHHS Sites use web analytics and tag management services provided by Google. Google uses cookies to help us analyze how users use our Sites. The information generated by the cookie about you includes your IP address. This information will be transmitted to and stored by Google on its servers. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of our Sites, compiling reports on website activity, and providing other services relating to Internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.
Please visit the following pages for more information on Google Analytics terms of use and Google’s privacy practices.
YNHHS also uses Google’s reCAPTCHA service to protect against spam and other automated abuse by identifying activity from an automated program such as a “bot.” reCAPTCHA analyzes the behavior of website visitors as soon as the website visit begins. The data collected during this analysis, is sent to Google’s servers. The use of the reCAPTCHA service and the treatment of any information collected through the service, such as IP address, date, time, language, screen size and resolution, and mouse movements while on the page, are subject to Google’s applicable privacy policy and terms of use, as noted in the boxes where you are asked to confirm that “I’m not a robot” when submitting a form.
User Name and Password: In the event you access any service requiring a User Name and Password, you are solely responsible for keeping such User Name and Password strictly confidential.
Forms: YNHHS’ Sites contain secure forms through which users may request information or supply feedback to us. This information may be shared with a patient relations representative, employee or medical expert who is most able to address your inquiry. Information sent to our websites is kept in secure databases accessible only by authorized YNHHS users. In some cases, telephone numbers, email addresses or return addresses are required so that we can supply requested information to you.
Surveys: Occasionally, YNHHS may survey visitors to our Sites and those who have signed up for email communications. The information from these surveys is used in aggregate form to help us understand the needs of our visitors so that we can make improvements. The information may be shared with third parties with whom we have a business relationship. Those third parties have agreed to keep all data from surveys confidential. We generally do not ask for information in surveys that would personally identify you. If we do request contact information for follow-up, you may decline to provide it.
SMS / Text Messages: YNHHS uses SMS (short message service) texts for our patients and others.
When you opt-in to the service for marketing promotions, we will send you a message to confirm your signup.
Text SIGNUP to the short code 96447 to receive Yale New Haven Health updates. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.
Text “HELP” for help. Text “STOP” to cancel.
You can cancel this service at any time. Text “STOP” to 96447. After you send the message “STOP” to us, we will send you a reply to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive messages from us.
If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending messages to you again.
If at any time you forget what keywords are supported, just text “HELP” to 96447. After you send the message “HELP” to us, we will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe.
As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
If you have consented to receive text messages and those messages are of the type that require us to provide an opt out option, you may opt out of receiving the messages by using the method provided in the text message portion of our policy. With your consent, we may also send promotional and non-promotional push notifications or alerts to your mobile device via native applications. You can deactivate these messages at any time by changing the notification settings on your mobile device or within our Apps.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affilates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. This includes affiliate or business partners the Opt in is not transferable to another party involved in their process.
For questions about SMS texts from YNHHS, you can send an email to [email protected].
Email and newsletters: YNHHS provides users with the opportunity to receive email communications. If you subscribe to a YNHHS newsletter distributed via email, we will keep your email address in a private distribution list. You may unsubscribe from our newsletters at any time.
Email communications you send to YNHHS via the email links on our websites may be shared with a patient relations representative, employee or medical expert who is most able to address your inquiry. No questions, concerns, or comments of an urgent nature should be submitted via e-mail. There is no guarantee or expectation of a personal response to any individual submission, regardless of the subject matter. We make every effort to respond in a timely fashion once communications are received. Once we have responded to your communication, it is discarded or archived, depending on the nature of the inquiry.
The email functionality on our websites does not provide a completely secure and confidential means of communication. It is possible that your email communication may be accessed or viewed by another internet user while in transit. If you wish to keep your communication private, do not use email. Please do not email patient health information, as that information is confidential and should only be discussed with your physician. If you have a question related to your medical care, please communicate with your provider through MyChart, which is secured for that purpose.
"Phishing" is a scam designed to steal your personal information. If you receive an email that looks like it is from YNHHS asking you for your personal information, do not respond. We will never request your password, user name, credit card information or other personal information through email.
Voice Applications: For voice applications such as those enabled by Amazon and Google, YNHHS collects a unique identifier from your Amazon and Google account. This information is used to enhance user experience and is not personally identifiable to you. We collect no additional information from your account.
Google and Amazon collect and store both the spoken utterance from the customer, and the skill's response, to improve and troubleshoot the voice experience.
You may delete this data in both applications:
MyChart Account Information: You may update, correct or modify information about you at any time by logging into your online account or by contacting us at [email protected]. If you wish to deactivate your account, please email us at [email protected], but note we may continue to store information about you as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
Email: You may unsubscribe from receiving marketing or other commercial emails from us by following the instructions included in the email. However, even if you opt-out of receiving such communications, we retain the right to send you non-marketing communications (such as important transaction information, or changes in website or mobile application terms).
Location Information: With your consent, we may collect information about your actual location when you use our Sites or Apps. You may stop the collection of this information at any time by changing the settings on your browser or mobile device but note that some features may no longer function if you do so. If you choose to enable and use location services for the App, your location data may be retained and used by the App’s location services vendor for a defined period.
Mobile Applications: Some features of our Apps may require access to certain native applications on your mobile device, such as the camera and photo storage applications (e.g., to take and upload photos), microphone and the phonebook application. Review your device or carrier settings for more information about granting and revoking consent to enable these features.
Cookie Settings and Advertising: You can set your browser or operating system to refuse all or some cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of our Sites may then be inaccessible or not function properly.
To learn more about interest-based advertisements and your opt-out rights and options, visit the Digital Advertising Alliance and the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) websites (www.aboutads.info and www.networkadvertising.org). Please note that if you choose to opt out, you will continue to see ads, but they will not be based on your online activity. We do not control third parties' collection or use of your information to serve interest-based advertising. However, these third parties may provide you with ways to choose not to have your information collected or used in this way. You can also opt out of receiving targeted ads from members of the NAI on its website.
YNHHS follows all applicable laws governing the retention of your data. Factors that influence the length of time that we retain your data include: the information needed to provide products, services, and experiences to you; the data needed to manage your account, ensure secure payment, and contact you; and, finally, the data needed to serve any advertising based on personal interests and preferences.
YNHHS makes every reasonable effort to ensure that all of the transactions that occur on our websites are secure. We use a secure firewall and a security infrastructure that protects the integrity and privacy of personal information submitted to us via this website. We store all data with Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect information you may submit on our Sites. SSL is the industry standard protocol. All off-line information is securely stored and is accessible only by authorized staff. That being said, YNHHS cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, and you do so at your own risk. We have taken reasonable steps to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of personal data that you may provide. You should understand, however, that electronic transmissions via the internet are not necessarily secure from interception, and so we cannot absolutely guarantee the security or confidentiality of such transmissions.
Please read these Terms of Use (the “Terms”) carefully before accessing or participating in any website or other online platform or service available on or through ynhhs.org, bridgeporthospital.org, greenwichhospital.org, lmhospital.org, westerlyhospital.org, ynhh.org, northeastmedicalgroup.org or other Yale New Haven Health sites (the “Site” or “Sites”). The Terms are an enforceable agreement between Yale New Haven Health System (“YNHHS”) and you, the user of the Sites. By using and accessing the Sites, you acknowledge that you have read the Terms and agree to be bound by and comply with them. If you do not agree to be bound by and comply with the Terms, you are not authorized to use the Sites. YNHHS reserves the right to modify the Terms at any time in its sole discretion, and will publish notice of any such modifications on this site. Any modified Terms are effective immediately upon posting. By continuing to access any Site after YNHHS posts notification of modified Terms, you agree to be bound by and comply with them. If you do not agree to the Terms, please do not enter the Sites. If you are not yet eighteen years of age, a parent or guardian may agree to be bound by the Terms on your behalf.
Nothing in the Terms replaces the application of other rules and policies of YNHHS or other agreements between you and YNHHS.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should not rely on any information on the Site and should seek appropriate emergency medical assistance, such as calling “911”. You should always talk to your healthcare professionals for diagnosis and treatment, including information regarding which drugs or treatment may be appropriate for you. Statements made by any persons on these Sites are not intended to substitute for discussion or evaluation with your healthcare professional or provide any guarantee as to outcomes. Nothing on these Sites represents or warrants that any particular drug or treatment is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Health information changes quickly. Therefore, you should always confirm information with your healthcare professionals.
The Sites are controlled and operated from within the United States and are intended for a United States audience. If you live outside the United States, you may see information on the Sites about products or therapies that are not authorized in your country. Any information you provide to us through use of our Websites may be stored and processed, transferred between and accessed from the United States and other countries that may not guarantee the same level of protection of personal data as the one in which you reside. However, we will handle your Personal Information in accordance with this Privacy Policy regardless of where your Personal Information is stored/accessed.
If you are a non- Connecticut resident, certain Personal Information that we collect about you may be subject to your state’s consumer privacy laws.
Please note that generally, these laws do not apply to, among other things,
You agree not to use the Sites or any other YNHHS computing resources to engage in any of the following conduct. Such conduct is unacceptable and may result in the termination of your use of the Sites.
We are committed to protecting children's privacy on the internet, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Where authorized, you may submit any text, images, data, information, content or other materials (collectively, “Materials”) to the Sites. In doing so, such Materials will be considered non-personal and non-confidential (except for personal information as described in the Privacy Policies), and you hereby grant to YNHHS a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, sublicensable, assignable, worldwide right and license to link to, use, reproduce, transmit, modify, adapt, practice, publish, display, perform, distribute, translate, and create derivative or collective works from, any such Materials, in whole or in part, throughout the world in any media, including all intellectual property rights therein, unless otherwise agreed in writing with YNHHS. You acknowledge and agree that any Materials submitted by users of any Site represent the opinions of the specific author and are not statements of advice, opinion or information of YNHHS. Any such Materials is no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for any purpose.
By submitting Materials to any Site, you certify ownership authority to grant such rights to YNHHS and acknowledge that the burden of determining whether any such Materials are protected by copyright rests solely with you.
Further, you are solely responsible for Materials submitted by you, and YNHHS assumes no responsibility or liability for Materials submitted by you or any other visitor to the Sites. We may, but are not obligated to, restrict or remove any and all Materials that we determine in our sole discretion violates the Terms or is otherwise harmful to us, other Site visitors or any third party. We reserve the right to remove Materials you submit at any time, but you understand that we may preserve and access a backup-copy, and we may disclose such Materials if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such access, preservation or disclosure is required by law or in the best interests of YNHHS.
Any Materials you submit will be routed through the Internet and you understand and acknowledge that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to any such Materials. Never assume that you are anonymous and cannot be identified by your submissions. You hereby grant YNHHS and any of its sublicensees the right to use the name that you submit in connection with the Materials, if they choose. You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the Materials submitted by you; that such Materials are accurate; that use of such Materials does not violate the Terms, and will not cause injury to any person or entity; and that you will indemnify YNHHS and its officers, trustees, employees, representatives and agents for all third-party claims resulting from Materials you submit.
Personal information collected by YNHHS in connection with the Sites will be maintained in accordance with our posted Website Privacy Policy. However, as stated in our Website Privacy Policy, it does not govern how we use your protected health information ("PHI"), as defined under the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act and related regulations. That information is governed by YNHHS’ Notice of Privacy Practices.
YNHHS does not host or receive funding from third party advertising.
You may not create links to any Site from any website with content that is fraudulent, threatening, harassing, libelous, defamatory, discriminatory, obscene, or similarly objectionable or harmful, or in a manner that would constitute or encourage a criminal offense, violate the rights of any party (directly or indirectly), or otherwise give rise to liability, violate any law or falsely imply YNHHS’ sponsorship, endorsement or approval of your or another party’s site or activities. Additionally, YNHHS, in its sole discretion, has the right to require that you remove links to any Site.
As a courtesy, the Sites may contain links to websites controlled by third parties. YNHHS is not responsible for these third-party sites or their content, activities or privacy practices. The inclusion of links on the Sites does not imply YNHHS’ endorsement of the linked web sites, their content, or any associated organization or activity. YNHHS makes no representation or warranty whatsoever about the nature of the linked sites. You should read the privacy policies and terms of use that govern your use of other sites before accessing and using their services.
All trademarks, service marks and logos or copyrights displayed and used on these Sites are the property of their respective owners. Nothing on the Sites should be construed as granting any right or license to use any Trademark without the written permission of its owner. You may download and reprint a single copy of the materials from the Sites ONLY for your own personal, noncommercial use, provided you include all applicable notices and disclaimers. Any other use of the materials is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of YNHHS and the permission of the applicable rights holder(s).
The Sites and services, information and content available on or through any of them are provided “as is” and “as available.” YNHHS does not warrant that the Sites or any such services, information or content will be uninterrupted or error-free. There may be delays, omissions, interruptions and inaccuracies in such services, information and content. YNHHS makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, reliability or non-infringement thereof, including user content, or of any services, information or content available through links to other websites. YNHHS reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions in the Sites. If you rely on any services, information and/or content available on or through the Sites, you do so entirely at your own risk.
You specifically acknowledge that YNHHS is not liable for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of other users or third parties, and that the risk of injury from this type of conduct rests entirely with you. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with any Site or any services, information and/or content available on or through any Site is to stop using the Site and/or those services, information and content.
To the maximum extent permitted under law, YNHHS disclaims all express or implied warranties with respect to the Sites and any services, information and content that are available on or through them, including without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose (even if that purpose has been disclosed) and non-infringement.
Although YNHHS intends to take reasonable steps to prevent the introduction of viruses, worms, “Trojan horses” or other malicious code to the Sites, YNHHS does not guarantee or warrant that the Sites, or any services, information and content that may be available on or through the Sites, are free from such destructive features. YNHHS is not liable for any damages or harm attributable to such features. It is up to you to take any and all precautions to ensure that the services, information and content you access and use from any Site or any hyperlinked website is free of such items of a destructive nature.
YNHHS and its officers, trustees, employees, representatives and agents are not liable for any claim of any nature whatsoever based on loss or injury because of errors, omissions, interruptions or inaccuracies in the Sites or any services, information or content available on or through the Sites, including loss or injury that results from your breach of any provision of the Terms.
Under no circumstances will YNHHS or its officers, trustees, employees, representatives or agents be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substituted services or materials; loss of use, data, revenues or profits; or business interruption) arising in any way out of or in connection with your use of any Site or any services, information or content available on or through the Sites or the Terms, however caused and regardless of the theory of liability, whether in tort (including negligence of any kind), contract, statutory, or any other legal or equitable theory, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
Some states do not allow the limitation of liability for certain kinds of damages, so some of these limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
The Terms are the complete agreement between you and YNHHS regarding the subject matter hereof, and any and all prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements existing between you and YNHHS regarding such subject matter are expressly canceled. We may terminate this agreement at any time for any reason. If you breach any of the Terms, your license to access and use the Sites, including all services, information and content available on or through the Sites, terminates immediately. Upon such termination, you must stop using the Sites, including all services, information and content available on or through the Sites, and return or destroy all copies, including electronic copies, thereof in your possession or control. Any heading, caption, or paragraph title contained in the Terms is inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way defines or explains any paragraph or provision contained within the Terms. If any provision of the Terms is found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions thereof, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any of the Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or condition or any other term or condition. You may not transfer or assign any rights or obligations under this agreement. In the event of termination hereunder, you shall have a continuing obligation thereafter to comply with any provision of the Terms that by its sense and context is intended to survive termination.
You agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to the Terms, the Sites or any services, information and content available on or through them, including copies and republication thereof, whether based in contract, tort, statutory or other law, will be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, excluding its conflicts of law provisions. You irrevocably agree to bring any claim or dispute relating to your use of the Sites or any services, information and content available on or through them, and the Terms exclusively in the applicable state courts located in New Haven County, Connecticut or the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (sitting in New Haven), to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts, and to waive any objections based on jurisdiction, venue, or inconvenience of the forum. In any action to enforce this agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to costs and attorneys’ fees. If a court determines that any provision of the Terms is unenforceable for any reason, then that provision will be deleted and the remaining provisions will be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
YNHHS necessarily reserves the right to change this policy from time to time, without advance notice. We will promptly post any changes to our privacy policy and terms of use on all sites owned by YNHHS in a manner that is in compliance with applicable regulations.
These Terms of Use were last updated January 2023
Yale New Haven Health System is committed to providing a digital experience that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are continually improving the accessibility and user experience for everyone and applying relevant accessibility standards and guidelines.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA and Level AAA. This website strives to meet WCAG 2.1 at a level AA rating. We seek to ensure that our websites are accessible to people who use assistive technology such as screen readers and speech input software and those unable to use a mouse or pointing device.
Accessibility features that can be found on this website include:
This website has been built using code that is compliant with W3C standards for HTML and CSS. Because of this, it displays correctly on current browser versions and will also do so on future versions.
Use the latest version of your browser and assistive technology to ensure the best possible website experience. We recommend that users of our website upgrade their browser versions whenever possible, as new versions are faster, have the latest security features and provide an improved browsing experience.
To ensure that our website continues to offer a high level of accessibility, we perform periodic accessibility audits using a range of testing tools to flag and address errors. While Yale New Haven Health strives to adhere to the accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability, rapid changes in technology mean it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website. We are, however, continually seeking solutions to address accessibility issues.
While visiting our site, you may come across third-party sites. Yale New Haven Health cannot guarantee that all third-party content will be compliant. You may learn more about the accessibility of third-party content on their websites.
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our digital content. Please let us know if you encounter website accessibility issues by emailing [email protected].
Current patients who may need interpreter or assistive services, should speak with their treatment team to initiate a request. Please visit our hospital websites for more information:
