Privacy and Confidentiality Statement

Privacy and Confidentiality Statement for CME/CE Internet Activities

In accordance with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accreditation standards and the essential areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), accredited organizations that participate in continuing medical education (CME) and continuing education (CE) activities on the internet shall have privacy and confidentiality procedures for CME activities. The purpose of the Privacy and Confidentiality Statement is to inform potential learners that their privacy is addressed when participating in a PNWU CME/CE activity on the internet. 

Privacy and Confidentiality:

PNWU maintains its internet site as an information resource and service for a variety of users to include, but not limited to, potential and current students, physicians, faculty, staff, and other healthcare professionals. PNWU is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all its internet customers. When learners register or use PNWU’s internet site for online CME/CE activities, the Office of University CME (OUCME) collects certain personally identifiable information such as names, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, and payment information. In addition to personally identifiable information, the OUCME collects aggregated non-personally identifiable information about the activities undertaken by users. The information collected may be used in several ways:

1. PNWU is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. As an accredited entity, we are required periodically to submit aggregated data about CME participants and the CME activities we certify. These reports may include personally identifiable information about learners and credits issued, for the purpose of maintaining records that can be requested from the accredited provider for up to six (6) years; 
2. When applicable, joint providers and commercial supporters of CME/CE activities on PNWU’s web site will receive only aggregated data about activities that are relevant to their interests and/or the courses they jointly provide or support; 
3. The OUCME staff will have internal access to files containing personally identifiable information, including evaluation forms and aggregated CME/CE participant information. These files can be accessed in order to respond to questions or comments. Staff may also use personally identifiable information, including registration information and evaluation data, in assessing educational needs and planning marketing activities; and 
4. PNWU may create aggregate data about visitors to the web site for product and service development, improvement activities, and other market analysis.

Protection and Storage of Information:

PNWU has implemented technology and security policies, rules and other measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, improper use, alteration, unlawful or accidental destruction, and accidental loss. PNWU requires that all employees and others who have access to or are associated with the processing of personal data respect confidentiality. Personally identifiable information that is shared with PNWU’s OUCME is stored on the organization’s database servers. There are firewalls in place to prevent individuals from accessing information without authorization. Data centers are physically secure and protected from unauthorized access by unauthorized persons. Physical access to the servers requires individual authorization and authentication. 

Information in the data centers is backed up routinely, in order to aid in the recovery of information in the event of accidental damage of information or due to a natural disaster. The backup media is stored in a physically secure storage facility.

For privacy and confidentiality questions or concerns, please contact cme@pnwu.edu.