Terms & Conditions

By agreeing to these terms and conditions, I acknowledge that I am requesting access to portions of my health information and the ability to communicate with my Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) health care team concerning my health information via the Internet using an electronic application called PAMFOnline. I understand that PAMF reserves the right to limit or discontinue my use of PAMFOnline if I do not abide by these terms and conditions.

Notice of Health Information Privacy Practices

The Palo Alto Medical Foundation considers the privacy of your health information to be one of the most important elements in our relationship with you. Our responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of your health information is one that we take very seriously. Click here for more information regarding our Notice of Health Information Privacy Practices.

Summary of Requirements
  • PAMFOnline should never be used for urgent matters.
  • A valid and functional e-mail address must be provided.
  • User ID and password should not be shared with anyone.
  • Use of PAMFOnline is for accessing my own health information or authorized access to health information of someone in my care.

Use of PAMFOnline for Health Care Services

I understand that PAMFOnline should never be used for urgent matters. The anticipated turnaround time for response to electronic messages is 1 to 2 business days. Therefore, for all urgent matters that I believe may immediately affect my health or well-being, I will, without delay, contact PAMF by phone, and/or go to the emergency department of a local hospital, and/or dial 911.

I understand that my PAMF health care team may send me messages via PAMFOnline. These messages may contain information that is important to my health and medical care. It is my responsibility to monitor these messages. By entering my valid and functional e-mail address, I have enabled PAMF to notify me of messages sent to my PAMFOnline Inbox. I will update my e-mail address on PAMFOnline as needed. I agree not to hold PAMF, Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Sutter Health, and Health Professionals under contract to PAMF, hereafter known as the "Service Provider," liable for any loss, injury or claims of any kind resulting from PAMFOnline messages that I fail to read in a timely manner.

If I elect to subscribe to PAMFOnline Messaging, I agree that all communication through PAMFOnline will be in regard to my own health condition(s). I understand that contents of any message may be stored in my permanent health record. I understand that asking for advice on behalf of another person could potentially be harmful and is a violation of the PAMFOnline terms of use. The Service Provider does not assume any responsibility for health information or services used by persons other than the PAMFOnline enrollee or proxy.

PAMFOnline ID and Password

I understand that I will create a unique identification (ID) code and password to be used to access my health information via PAMFOnline. I understand that this ID and password are unique codes that identify me in the PAMFOnline computer system. Inquiries and entries that I make via PAMFOnline will be logged with my identity.

I understand that it is extremely important that I keep the ID and password that I use to access PAMFOnline completely confidential. If at any time I feel that the confidentiality of my password has been compromised, I will change it by going to the Password link on the PAMFOnline website. I understand that the Service Provider, takes no responsibility for and disclaim any and all liability or consequential damages arising from a breach of health record confidentiality resulting from my sharing or losing my password. If the Service Provider discovers that I have inappropriately shared my password with another person, or that I have misused or abused my PAMFOnline access privileges in any way, my participation in PAMFOnline may be discontinued by the Service Provider without prior notice.

Verification of Identity

I understand that my enrollment is contingent on verification of my identity either in person by a PAMF employee or physician or based on comparison of my signature provided on the Release of Information with a signature in my Palo Alto Medical Foundation Health Record.

Deactivation of PAMFOnline

I understand that PAMFOnline services may be deactivated upon my request or at the discretion of the Palo Alto Medication Foundation for failure to meet these Terms and Conditions.

Disclaimer

I understand that PAMFOnline may not be available to me all the time due to unanticipated system failures, back-up procedures, maintenance, or other causes beyond the control of the Service Provider. Access is provided on an "as-is, as-available" basis and the Service Provider does not guarantee that I will be able to access PAMFOnline at all times. During times when PAMFOnline is unavailable, other communication methods (e.g., telephone) should be used to access PAMF.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SERVICE PROVIDER TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY INACCURACIES OR DEFECTS IN SOFTWARE, COMMUNICATION LINES, VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK, THE INTERNET OR MY INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP), ACCESS SYSTEM, COMPUTER HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE, OR ANY OTHER SERVICE OR DEVICE THAT I USE TO ACCESS PAMFONLINE.

Surveys

I understand that from time to time I may be asked to complete patient satisfaction surveys. PAMF and Sutter Health may analyze information submitted via these surveys as part of descriptive (demographic) studies and reports. In such cases all of my personal identifying information will be removed.