Privacy Policy

The STL-Professionals Health Program (STL-PHP) protects confidential and privileged information  it generates on participants in its Professional Health Program (“PHP”). The STL-PHP will release  certain types of information as part of the advocacy process for participants. The STL-PHP release  forms need to be completed prior to such release. The STL-PHP requires that the applicable consent  and authorization form(s) be completed by each participant prior to the requested communication  or advocacy event. 

Confidentiality 

The STL-PHP provides confidential assistance to healthcare professionals with conditions that may  negatively impact practice performance. Referrals to the STL-PHP protect the well-being of  healthcare professionals. 

One of the reasons Physician Health Programs (PHPs) were developed was to provide  confidentiality for healthcare professionals with stigmatized health conditions. Healthcare  professionals are more likely to seek assistance if they believe their information will be kept  confidential. Strong confidentiality protections encourage early intervention in the illness process  before impairment occurs and when the prognosis for full recovery is most favorable. Confidential  participation in the STL-PHP begins at the initial assessment, following the completion of a  thorough informed consent procedure. 

The STL-PHP is a Part 2 program under the Code of Federal Regulations “Confidentiality of  Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records” regulations at 42 CFR Part 2. This law and  regulations provide exceptional privacy protection and reassurance that participant records are  safe from subpoena or disclosure in legal proceedings and will not be released without the  participant’s consent. 

As a policy, the STL-PHP does not release or re-release its records to participants or third parties.  This policy protects the identities of referral sources. 

The STL-PHP commitment to confidentiality and privacy is steadfast. However, there are important  practical and legal limitations to confidentiality that should be considered. 

STL-PHP participants may be asked to provide consent for STL-PHP to communicate with  evaluation and treatment providers, key supports, or concerned others as a condition of program  participation. Such communications are critical for the STL-PHP to carry out its mission and  support the health and advocacy needs of program participants.  

Danger to self or others, abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, and medical and/or psychiatric  emergencies are other examples in which the STL-PHP may have a legal reporting obligation that  supersedes a participant’s confidentiality protections. 

The STL-PHP understands how important it is for prospective and current participants to have  confidence that their health information will remain private and protected that seeking help will  not harm them personally or professionally. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns  about program confidentiality.

Website Statement of Privacy 

STL-PHP is committed to protecting your privacy and developing technology that provides the most  effective and secure measures. This policy applies to this site and governs data collection and  usage. By using the site, you consent to the data practices as described. 

Collection of your Personal Information 

STL-PHP may collect personally identifiable information such as your email address, name, home or  work address, or telephone number. We may collect anonymous demographic information, that is  not unique to you, such as your zip code, age, gender, preferences, interests and favorites. 

This is also information about your computer hardware and software that is automatically collected  by STL-PHP. This information can include: your IP address, browser type, domain names, access  times and referring website addresses. This information can be used for the operation of the  services, to maintain the quality of the services, and to provided general statistics regarding use of  the site.