Email signature files for confidentiality notices

Most email clients allow you to set up a what is known as a signature file that automatically appends standard text to every email message you send. If you work with email containing PHI (protected health information) you can include the appropriate confidentiality email Notice as part of your signature file. Here is an example of a signature file:

Jim Smith
Clinical Professor, Occupational Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street -- New Haven, CT 06510
voice 203.737.4037 telefax 203.737.4007
mailto:jim.smith@yale.edu
http://www.med.yale.edu/intmed/occmed/
---
The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential. If you are NOT the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately with a copy to hipaa.security@yale.edu and destroy this message.
Please be aware that email communication can be intercepted in transmission or misdirected. Your use of email to communicate protected health information to us indicates that you acknowledge and accept the possible risks associated with such communication. Please consider communicating any sensitive information by telephone, fax or mail. If you do not wish to have your information sent by email, please contact the sender immediately.

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