At Westford Internal Medicine, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of visitors to our website. This website privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) will tell you what information we collect, how it is used and your options as you interact with our website. By using this website, you agree to this policy. Please read the following carefully before using the website.
“Protected health information” as defined under the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act and related regulations (collectively referred to as “HIPAA”), including information you provide to a Westford Internal Medicine facility while being treated as a patient of that facility or within the patient portal, is separate and subject to our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Your Consent
By using our website, you consent to the collection, use and sharing of information as described in this Privacy Policy. By providing us with an email address, you agree that we may use your email address to communicate with you about our services and select messages from our partners or affiliates.
(NOTE: Opt-out options are discussed in the section entitled “Cookies, Tracking and Internet-based Advertising”.)
Information That We Collect
You may use our website without providing any personal information. When you reply to any of our communications with a request, we may need to collect additional information. For example, you may be asked to provide personal information, such as name, email address, and demographic information if you choose to complete an online form or provide feedback.
If you submit to Westford Internal Medicine any personal information relating to other people, you represent that you have the authority to do so and permit us to use the information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. By submitting personal information, you grant Westford Internal Medicine the right to transmit, monitor, retrieve, store and use your information in connection with the operation of the website.
Patients can opt to create a patient portal account. The portal is a secure platform available for patients to manage their health. Features include reviewing test results, managing appointments, messaging your doctor, renewing your prescriptions and paying your bills.
Data Security
Westford Internal Medicine is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information you provide to us via this website so that we can make sure it remains as secure as possible. Accordingly, we use reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized access. We use a secure firewall and a security infrastructure that protects the integrity and privacy of personal information submitted to us via this website. As an additional security measure, your personal information is also encrypted during transmission using appropriate technology including Transport Layer Security. This is an industry standard.
Although we work hard to protect your personal information, Westford Internal Medicine cannot guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us through online applications, and you do so at your own risk. Depending on the nature of the inquiry, your communication could be discarded or archived. If you wish, you can contact us instead by telephone.
Cookies, Tracking and Internet-based Advertising
This website works with companies that offer third-party products or services (“Service Providers”). These include analytics and marketing vendors who help us track and analyze visitor activity on the website, measure the effectiveness of our advertising efforts, and support the optimization of our digital marketing campaigns.
The website uses “cookies,” tracking pixels and related technologies. These can be set by Westford Internal Medicine or by our Service Providers.
Cookies are small data files that online services can store on, and retrieve from, a user’s computer or mobile device through the user’s web browser. The information is stored and retrievable either for the duration of a website visit (known as “session cookies”), or until some later point in time set by the website setting the cookie (known as “persistent cookies”).
Examples of information we and our Service Providers collect include how often someone visits this website and what they do while on the website. We and our Service Providers use this information in the aggregate to understand how our visitors as a group use different resources and to help us improve our website. We and our Service Providers also collect information about the activity of individual website users. This information may be used to direct related Westford Internal Medicine advertisements and/or informational content to website users when they visit other websites.
Most internet browsers accept cookies by default, but you can modify your browser preferences to block or restrict cookies if you do not want your web browsing activity tracked. There are a variety of tools publicly available to manage cookies and similar technologies that collect information related to your use of the website.
We are not responsible for the effectiveness or compliance of third-party opt-out mechanisms or programs. Please note that if you delete your cookies or upgrade your browser after having opted out, you will need to opt out again. Further, if you use multiple browsers or devices you will need to opt out on each browser or device. You can access the information on this website without enabling cookies in your browser but disabling cookies may result in a diminished ability to take advantage of the services and related informational content on the website.
We use analytics and tag management services provided by third parties to collect certain information relating to your use of this website. These tools may collect information such as your IP address, operating system, browser ID, browsing activity, screen size, and mouse movements. This data helps us improve performance and security, and combat automated abuse such as spam or “bots.”
How We Use This Information
Westford Internal Medicine uses the information you provide to fulfill online requests, respond to service inquiries, or in other ways as required by law.
We may use your information to:
- Help us improve the services we offer
- Personalize your experience and inform you about services in which you have expressed interest
- Tailor informational content based on your interaction with our website
- Respond to your questions and requests
- Administer surveys or website features
- Communicate changes to our Privacy Policy or Terms of Use
In some cases, third parties contracted by Westford Internal Medicine may have access to your information to perform a specific task, for example, to send a newsletter.
Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
EEA or Switzerland residents are entitled to the rights under applicable data protection regulations, which include the right to access, rectify, and request erasure of personal data. We may require verification of identity before providing access to personal records.
Third-Party Vendors/Content Providers
Westford Internal Medicine shares information with third parties as required by law or to provide requested services. We engage reputable vendors to support website functionality and communication.
Transfer in the Event of Sale or Change of Control
If the ownership of our business changes or we need to transfer assets related to this website to a third party, we may transfer your personal information to the new owner. Your information would remain subject to the promises made in the applicable Privacy Policy unless you specify otherwise.
Online Surveys
Occasionally we may request feedback to improve how we present information on the website. These surveys do not ask questions that could personally identify you unless voluntarily provided.
Email Information
Please do not provide personal information via email unless it is through a secure channel. Unencrypted email can be viewed by others. Use secure forms or contact us by phone or mail for confidential matters.
If you receive an email claiming to be from Westford Internal Medicine and asking for personal information, do not respond. This may be a phishing attempt. We will never ask for passwords, usernames, or payment information by email.
Links to External Websites
This Privacy Policy applies only to this website. If you access third-party websites via links on our site, we encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.
Changes to This Policy
Westford Internal Medicine reserves the right to update this Website Privacy Policy at any time without notice. Please review it periodically to stay informed of changes.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns about how we collect, use, or protect your personal information, please contact our office.
Last Revised: July 24, 2022